Awake

At first i didnt had that high expectations on this film. Ive heard it was gonna be good. Its a a type of horror which i find really creepy, involving hospitals and being awake during a surgery is already one of my phobias. So i mostly just wanted to get the film done.

A really, really intriguing, but horrifying plot at the same time.

But this film started good, the acting and manuscript was well done. The middle gets a bit confusing and more in a psychological way, which i really enjoy in film. It really gets better and better and the plot twist makes all sense in the thrilling and intense ending.

This was way over my expectations. It's definitely a unique film that is very creatively and clever made. Very watchable. The story is well put together, but you got to wait a while before understanding the plottwist fully.

However it got some tiny plotholes, nothing big that makes a large difference. But mostly a pretty good film using interesting real life theories about Out-of-body-experience.

I recommend it.

Reminded me of one of those films you would rent from blockbuster for a Saturday night watch with the family. First the leads are very much early 00's style, both pretty, very likeable but whom ultimately always play a slightly modified version of themselves in all their films and this is no exception. Well, fine by me. The supporting cast are all recognisable faces that when first popping up, made me point and whistle at the screen from my arm chair. The film is well paced which is the true beauty of a good 90 minutes thriller. The story at first is quite interesting and even slightly terrifying considering that it is a real condition and you certainly go through a rollercoaster of emotions with all the different characters which ultimately is the films strongest suit. HOWEVER (and it is a big one) the story is very silly, with a stupid amount of plot holes that will leave you going "huh?", but that's what makes it fun! Currently I'm slightly fatigued of the current trend of long, deep, stylised, social commentary films coming out, and all I want is a story that will allow me to switch off after a long day and "Awake" let me do just that!

There is never a dull moment through out the entire movie... When we first meet the various characters in the movie we quickly form first impressions of them...a young couple in love, a dominant mother not wanting to let go of her son, a friend you can trust, and then halfway through realize that oh boy...were we wrong or what?! I had goosebumps when the protagonists heart is cut open and he could still feel and hear the doctors!!! A part of me hopes that this never happens to someone i love!!! Love makes the world go around. And yes, money too :( The story centers around a business tycoon ,Clayton,who has to undergo a heart transplant. But due "anesthetic awareness" he is awake and can feel and hear the doctors during the surgery. But what is more painful....feeling or hearing? Watch it!!

I'm not going to put any spoilers in this review, but this is certainly a movie with some great twists and turns. I haven't been this excited about an upcoming release since The Sixth Sense or Memento. Hard to believe this is the director's first feature (although it's possible he cut his teeth in the commercial or music video world... I'm not sure) I mean, certainly the film has a few problems, some of the moments didn't ring exactly true to me and the music was a touch maudlin at times. But when this film gets it right, it gets it really right. I was on the edge of my seat from the second act on. It's the first film I've seen in awhile that manages to balance a genuine emotionality with a strong thriller aspect. Even Hayden Christensen, who I think we all had our doubts about after Episodes I-III, puts in a memorable and affecting performance. Definitely a film to see and a director I'll be keeping my eye on.

To me this was an entertaining mystery thriller. In the beginning I thought it was a bit slow but it was just necessary to let you know the characters. Once the surgery started it got interesting. Just the thought of being awake while under narcoses gives me the creeps. Glad I don't have to have surgery anytime soon. About the mystery itself i have to admit I didn't see it coming. And I'm glad about that because that's what makes a movie in this genre successful. About the cast they might not be the best actors ever but they still did a good job, nothing bad to say about any of them. Conclusion, if you do like a bit of thriller with a couple of twists that you don't see coming then you will enjoy Awake.