Déjà Vu (12A)

Demetrios Matheou
Sunday 17 December 2006 01:00 GMT
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There is a certain frisson to our own experiences of déjà vu, which is singularly lacking in this latest exercise in overblown action drama by Tony Scott. Despite its high-concept ambitions, with a tale that combines terrorism with time travel, it's quite underwhelming.

The only charge I recall from Déjà Vu is the pang of despair during the opening sequence, when it became apparent that Scott was about to film a scene of terrible carnage - the bombing of a New Orleans car ferry with hundreds on board - in slow motion; once again, his obsession with trite visuals, including here the trademark kinetic cutting and replication of surveillance techniques, adds little more to proceedings than bad taste.

Denzel Washington plays the cop whose investigation of a woman's murder holds the key to the hunt for the terrorist; Val Kilmer the federal agent whose new time toy will send the cop back in time to prevent the attack. Of course, Denzel falls in love with the girl, but may have to choose between saving her, the masses and, not in the plan, himself. It's too daft for words.

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