Cell
John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson star in arguably the worst Stephen King adaptation to date in which a cell phone pulse turns decent Bostonians into rabid maniacs.
Samuel L. Jackson on zombie duty
Since the invention of the cell phone there have been a myriad of theories about whether they may cause damage to the brain. Stephen King takes this hypothesis even further in this apocalyptic thriller. The action begins at Boston airport where Clay Riddell (John Cusack) tries to call his estranged wife and young son who live in New Hampshire. But when the battery on his mobile runs out, he is forced to use a public phone, while all others around, who are still on their cells, turn into homicidal maniacs. Clay runs into the subway for safety and joins forces with the train’s conductor Tom McCourt (Samuel L Jackson) and with another survivor, 17-year-old Alice (Isabelle Fuhrman)...
It is a fun premise with another take on the zombie genre but director Tod Williams fails to inject any suspense or tension into it. The story unfolds too slowly and Williams’ decision to shoot the action sequences with jerky camera movements is irritating and distracting while his usually reliable actors fail to make an impact.
GEORGE SAVVIDES
Cast: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Owen Teague, Clark Sarullo, Anthony Reynolds, Erin Elizabeth Burns, Stacy Keach.
Dir Tod Williams, Pro Richard Saperstein, Michael Benaroya, Brian Witten and Shara Kay, Screenplay Stephen King and Adam Alleca, Ph Michael Simmonds, Pro Des John Collins, Ed Jacob Craycroft, Music Marcelo Zarvos, Costumes Lorraine Coppin.
Benaroya Pictures/International Film Trust/120dB Films/Cargo Entertainment/The Genre Company/Don Nafia-Signature Entertainment.
97 mins. USA. 2016. Rel: 26 August 2016. Cert. 15.