I Am Mortal

Immortals - actually as you might notice yourself, it is not literally true. Because if you are able to die, than you are not actually immortal. But no one seems to wish someone else harm ... well most of the time. Because trying to contain humans and their emotions is quite difficult - or rather impossible to be honest.

Having said that, the movie has an interesting premise. But one we can't be entirely sure about. What would you do, how would you feel, if you knew you had the possibility to live forever? Of course since you would not be the only one, but it would also include your friends, that would make it easier. At least in theory that is.

But there are other hidden agendas and things contained in this. And while the main idea is more than intriguing, a lot of cliches and predictable plot points creep in. This dares to be different, but does not fully succeed. Still decent effort in my book - especially if you like Science Fiction in general.

Several reviews here refer to this as a "Christian" film. Those reviewers totally missed the point. Yes, God and religion are mentioned, but they are neither promoted nor dogmatically insistent on such. It's listed more as a historic fact: At one time people believed on God and faith and had religion. That's pretty accurate "history" for the sake of the movie. In no instance did the movie promote returning such thing to society. The closest it got was mentioning that some people believe there is an eternal soul. But it turns right around and says, "What if that's wrong? What if when we die, we cease to exist?"

That's not a "Christian film". That's a question many people ask themselves all the time. And that's what this movie is about... all the way through. It's about a man who has offered society immortality-- at a severe reduction in their emotions and free will-- and society accepted. But after a while some people began to wonder what we traded for that.

The film brings out several good points. First: there are always those who rebel, no matter what. It questions if eternal life is a good thing, or if death has a purpose. It definitely questioned reducing emotions and appreciation for life by extending that life indefinitely. Those are all sound science fiction themes-- and this is not the first story line to present such questions.

Neither does the film offer any answers. In the end some people make some choices, others make other choices. They don't show 200 years down the road. It's evidently not the goal of this film to make a statement. Rather, it's to pose a question: if given the choice of eternal life, would you take it... especially if there was a significant cost?

One of the points made by this film is that even a Utopian society might take the form of a Dystopian society under certain circumstances. I thought it did pretty well in presenting that concept.

The writing, directing and acting was reasonably good. It was a slow-burner and some viewers may be dissatisfied with the ending. It's not for everyone (I myself only give it a "mediocre" 5 stars). Yet I do see what they were trying to do: make us think. Make us question.

In the end there was still the major issue of which is worse: the society we live in now, or a less-motional, pristine society without crime, war, sickness, aging, or death. I would suspect that given the choice a lot of people would choose eternal youth and good health. Many people may agree that our society is excessively emotional anyway; maybe it could use a dialing-down from always on 10. What if we could eliminate all the things that plague our society today. Were the people in their society unhappy? Was the newfound "wonder" in the rebels worth what would undoubtedly follow: a return of greed, hatred, crime and eventually war?

These were all open-ended questions presented in this flick. I would have given this 6 or 7 stars, but the movie tended to be somewhat one-sided, and in my opinion failed to give "equal time" to the other side. They mentioned it, but let's mention it again: Before their "cure"... the world was a horrible, terrifying place filled with hatred, crime, war, disease and death. They put a stop to all of that. The people weren't walking zombies. They were cognizant, alert, happy. Is that so bad?

That's the ultimate question asked-- with no real answer provided. Perhaps it can be taken for granted that in another 200 to 300 years their civilization would have regressed, and would no longer be so civilized. Then perhaps there would be a rebellion of people thinking that eternal life and a balanced society wasn't such a bad thing after all.

So no, it wasn't a "Christian" movie. It was a reasonably decent sci fi movie that I wish had been fleshed out to present both sides in a little more balanced and through-provoking manner. It was the weakness and unbalance of the script that cost this film stars.

Acting--mediocre to good, the lead actor could do a few more hours practicing his lines and facial emotions.

Cinematography---there were plenty of scenes to celebrate about, although this one sure is low budget, but no cheap frills here.

Story--there isn't any. There's just a forced premise that mortality is better, but no story development, no peak and valleys, just a tired plateau.

Verdict-- DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. Reading the news is more exciting.

This is what happens when one tries write SciFi without understanding the Rules Of Tropes, and there's plenty used along the way in here.

Some of the actors do good work, some are 'phoning it in,.'

Technical side, camera, sound, lighting, editing, are all carried off competently, making the production look better then the plot has any right to.

It's basically an Asylum type film with better production values and some well known B-listers getting their scene on in main roles instead of being sidekicks.

Put it on to fall asleep to, the dreams that follow will have better plots.

Honestly this movie is so boring I nearly died, you feel nothing for any of the characters at all, the idea could be good but you don't actually get any kind of answer at all, I have a feeling they want to do a trilogy but because the first one is such a dribble borefest I doubt it will happen. Extremely low budget poop, wish I could get my time back.