In the most obvious statement, you’ll read today, outside of the film’s quality, marketing is one of the most important factors in a film’s success. Over the past few years, Blumhouse has become a staple of horror and film, as it’s created a reputation of consistency unseen in horror in a very long time. That consistency was rewarded at this past Academy Awards ceremony when Get Out was awarded Best Original Screenplay. As we push forward to the summer blockbuster season, horror fans have been anxiously waiting for the trailer for the upcoming Halloween film that debuted back in April at Cinemacon.
While the trailer has yet to be released, Jason Blum took to Twitter to answer a fan’s question regarding the release of the trailer and stated, that they should go watch Upgrade on June 1st. Immediately, most fans, including yours truly, assumed that the trailer would be accompanying the film. While the trailer was not attached to the film, Blum’s marketing of Halloween accomplished his goal of putting more eyes on what may go down as an eventual cult classic for fans.
The film is set in the not so distant future where technology has grown to control most if not all aspects of peoples’ lives. While most view that as a positive, Grey, our protagonist, views the cons in this advancement. Ultimately, he is asked to question his beliefs after tragic events lead him to depend on that same technology, in the form of “STEM”, a robotic implant in his neck, to avenge his loss. As simplistic as that may sound, the film does offer a nice depth to Grey’s motives and the dangers relying solely on technology for your everyday living.
Upgrade is the latest film by Leigh Whannell. Whannell is best known for his role in the creation of the Saw franchise, along with directing entries in the world of Insidious. However, despite an established claim to fame, Upgrade may be his best film yet as it unapologetically channels every 80’s science-fiction revenge film cliché and is able to mold them with a modern twist to the film that may age into an eventual “b-movie everyone is talking about.”
The film’s cast does a fine job in pushing the narrative forward with Logan Marshall-Green leading the way as Grey. Green, who has progressively become better at his craft since first seeing him in Prometheus, knocks it out of the ballpark in Upgrade. Throughout the film, you feel a sense of loss and ultimate revenge as he is able to relay that message to the audience through his mannerisms very well. His entire body language changes once STEM takes control and a sense of fear and shock appears on his face every time the modern day “Hal” (see 2001: A Space Odyssey) controls his arms and legs.
Speaking of mannerisms, one of the things I took from the film that I enjoyed the most is Grey’s movement when Stem is inside him. His movements throughout the film when he gives control to STEM brings a robotic feel as Grey has lost complete control and who you are watching on the screen at that moments is STEM.
If there is one deterrent to the film is that Whannell channels his inner Saw gore-porn aesthetic by upping the kills within the film to an 11. For a film that progressed so well with its story and characters, the idea of revenge should have been enough to push those violent scenes forward without overusing the blood and guts.
With Avengers: Infinity War, Deadpool 2, and Solo in full control of the box office, Upgrade is a great substitution for those who are looking for something different. A mix of Death Wish, Robocop, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and EX-Machina, Upgrade brings to light the idea that b-movies can still work in 2018.
Reel Talk gives Upgrade 3 Reels
