'Push' Is a Cut Above

'Superhero' clan brings new concepts to a genre in its prime

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

Chris Evans trades in his Fantastic Four outfit for a different kind of superhero movie, one that tends to its own quality rather than to a marketing campaign like most other films featuring these types of characters. Paul McGuigan's Push is set and filmed in Hong Kong, which immediately allows it to set itself apart from the Marvel and DC comic flicks that have become all the rage during the last decade.

Evans' character is slowly polishing his God-given ability to move objects with his mind, when he is suddenly thrust into an underground world of others with powers similar to his own. Some can heal wounds with their bare hands ("stitchers"), some can control your thoughts and readjust memories ("pushers"), and others can see the near future ("watchers"). Dakota Fanning's character is the latter and uses her gift to locate Evans and then recruits him to help her change the imminent visions she has of each of their fates.

Fanning, who is still just 14-years-old, is growing up on film, and shows us that her acting is along for the ride, as she pulls off an impressive performance in Push, including a convincing drunk scene! The unlikely pair, with the imperative help of their paranormal friends--including the beautiful Camilla Belle as one of the world's strongest "pushers"--upset the balance of their destiny, and unravel the "Division," a government-run organization that soughts after these unique individuals in order to benefit from their unusual powers.

The characters' abilities are intriguing, the locations are eye-catching, and the visuals are simple yet worthy of its peers. The flashy action film ends with the potential of a follow-up, which I--like many others I hope--welcome.

3/5 stars