Volition

I didn't really like the film's seedy, underworld, villainous scum environment but it provided a good setting for this presentation of time travel. Our protag "James" is played by a look-alike to Matthew Rhys of "The Americans" and all other actors are unknowns, too. Also, two of the villains who play cousins in the film are brothers in real life, so that's fun with meta. This is the editor-cum-director's first feature length film so you don't expect too much. And with time travel you tend to either love it or hate it depending on how well it's done. Though this iteration of time travel is different from most, it still didn't address the multiple-versions-of-the-traveller co-existing paradox. As such there's a recursive aspect to this as the director attempts to "unwind" the story towards the end. If you really care about this story you'll need to watch it two or even three times to fully process what's happening, kind of like what you needed to do for the more mainstream "Inception".

.....and this becomes a decent low budget sci fi movie. Sort of a poundland Looper meets Primer mashup.

As a scifi fan with a penchant for time travel shenanigans this film was right up my street and for 90 minutes we were suitably entertained.

Is it Inception? No. So while the sniffy reviews are not completely wrong neither are they right. 5.4 is a silly low average score for a film this well made.

For a low budget small film that drops in at the required 90 minutes for easy Covid viewing it was just the ticket.

Yes, the characters are not massively deep enough, especially the "love interest". Yes, there are a plot few holes here and there with continuity bloopers. Yes, the "science bit" was a little low rent in its believability.

But put these aside and you'll find a fun Looper knock off to while away the time and a fun "time travel conundrum" with some great pay off's later in the film.

Movies like this can be a tough sell. Time travel obviously does not exist, yet there are many out there who are quick to say "That wouldn't happen". Yes, the writers have to have some creative freedom to break away and develop their ideas, but they also have to somehow convince us at the same time, so it can be a fine line.

In Volition there were definitely a few elements which I have seen played out in other time travel movies, mainly the whole cause and effect scenario, however they did try to put their own twist on things which I liked.

As much as I enjoyed those time travel elements I did find myself at times questioning the story. But overall there was some strong performances and enough to keep me entertained throughout.

If you liked Timecrimes aka. Crono Crimenes, you will most likely enjoy this movie, too as it heads in a similar direction. It is short enough to not get boring and the story, while rather unbelievable on the science part, is really entertaining. The actors are likeable but not outstanding. All in all, it is definitely an above average movie. 6.5/10

But then again, I am a big fan of time travel / time loop movies, so I might be biased.