Chris Evans plays Nick Gant, a man whose father was killed by Division, the shadowy government agency that runs the world of Push. Dakota Fanning plays Cassie Holmes, a teenage Watcher who joins him in the hunt for a missing girl and a stolen suitcase. Camilla Belle plays Kira Hudson, a Pusher on the run from Division. Djimon Hounsou plays Henry Carver, the agent hunting her.
This is a movie about people with psychic gifts, and it knows exactly what it is doing. It is a loud, fast, often silly piece of genre filmmaking, built for audiences who want spectacle over sense.
Trailer, via Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers.
The Setup
Since 1945, nations have kept Divisions to study and control people with psychic powers. Ten years ago, two Movers named Jonah Gant and his young son Nick were chased by the U.S. Division. Jonah told Nick to help a girl who gave him a flower in the future. A team led by Henry Carver, a Pusher, killed Jonah, and Nick escaped.
In the present, the U.S. Division has made a drug that boosts psychic gifts. All test subjects died until Kira Hudson, a Pusher, adapted to it. She stole a syringe and fled, helped by another woman in the facility. Carver ordered Division to find Kira and get back the syringe.
Nick, now in Hong Kong, has hidden there for years. His powers have grown weak from neglect, and he owes money when his gifts fail to help him win at cards. Division agents Mack and Holden come to look for Kira, but find nothing. Cassie shows up soon after, wanting Nick to help her find Kira too.
The Hong Kong Chase
Cassie is a 13-year-old Watcher whose gifts are still forming. She is often confused by the visions she draws. Nick realizes she is the girl he was meant to help.
Division Sniffer Mack and Sniffer Holden catch Kira in Hong Kong. She Pushes Mack to kill Holden, who kills his brother and gets away. Carver sends Mack to die, pushed by Carver himself. Nick and Cassie track Kira with the help of Shifter Hook Waters and Sniffer Emily Wu.
The Supporting Cast
Colin Ford plays Young Nick Gant. Joel Gretsch plays Jonah Gant, Nick’s father, an advanced Mover killed for refusing to join Division. Ming-Na Wen plays Emily Wu, a Sniffer who helps Nick and Cassie. Cliff Curtis plays Hook Waters, a former Shifter who believes Division killed his wife. Nate Mooney plays Pinky Stein, a Shadow missing his pinky finger. Corey Stoll plays Sniffer Mack. Scott Michael Campbell plays Sniffer Holden. Maggie Siff plays Teresa Stowe, a Stitch who heals Nick. Paul Che plays Wo Chiang, a Wiper living on a boat. Xiao Lu Li plays Pop Girl, a Triad Watcher who tracks Nick and Cassie. Kwan Fung Chi and Jacky Heung play Pop Boys, Triad Bleeders. Haruhiko Yamanouchi plays Pop Father, a Triad Bleeder and father to the Pop siblings.
What Works
The action sequences are fast and well staged. The cast sells the stakes even when the script doesn’t. The premise is clever enough to hold attention for a while.
What Doesn’t
The plot is thin and full of holes. Characters speak in exposition instead of acting. The ending feels rushed and unfinished.
Final Word
Push is a forgettable entry in a crowded genre. It has style and some good performances, but the story cannot carry them. It is a film worth seeing once, then forgetting.
Key Facts
- Director: Paul McGuigan
- Writer: David Bourla
- Runtime: 111 minutes
- Release Date: February 6, 2009
- Starring: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou
- Critical Score: 3.6/10
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