I thought Hayden Christensen in last year's Jumper would be as bland a mutant as the screen would ever give us, but that was before I saw Chris Evans in Push.
Push (2009)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:118
Fresh:27
Rotten:91
Average Rating:4.3/10
Consensus: The sci-fi thriller Push is visually flashy but hyperkinetic and convoluted.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Sep 10, 2009 Wide
US Box Office: $31,730,682
Synopsis:
A riveting action-thriller, Push burrows deep into the deadly world of psychic espionage where artificially enhanced paranormal operatives have the ability to move objects with their minds, see the...
A riveting action-thriller, Push burrows deep into the deadly world of psychic espionage where artificially enhanced paranormal operatives have the ability to move objects with their minds, see the future, create new realities and kill without ever touching their victims. Against this setting, a young man and a teenage girl take on a clandestine agency in a race against time that will determine the future of civilization.
The Division, a shadowy government agency, is genetically transforming citizens into an army of psychic warriors—and brutally disposing of those unwilling to participate. Nick Gant (Chris Evans), a second-generation telekinetic or “mover,” has been in hiding since the Division murdered his father more than a decade earlier. He has found sanctuary in densely populated Hong Kong—the last safe place on earth for fugitive psychics like him—but only if he can keep his gift a secret.
Nick is forced out of hiding when Cassie Holmes (Dakota Fanning), a 13-year-old clairvoyant or “watcher,” seeks his help in finding Kira, (Camilla Belle), an escaped “pusher” who may hold the key to ending the Division’s program. Pushers possess the most dangerous of all psychic powers: the ability to influence others’ actions by implanting thoughts in their minds. But Cassie’s presence soon attracts the attention of the Division’s human bloodhounds, forcing Nick and Cassie to flee for their lives.
With the help of a team of rogue psychics, the unlikely duo traverses the seedy underbelly of the city, trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities as they search for Kira. But they find themselves square in the crosshairs of Division Agent Henry Carver (Djimon Hounsou), a pusher who will stop at nothing to keep them from achieving their goal.--© Summit
Starring: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou
Starring: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou, Neil Jackson, Ming-Na, Cliff Curtis, Nate Mooney, Lu Lu
Director: Paul McGuigan
Director: Paul McGuigan
Screenwriter: David Bourla
Producer: William Vince, Bruce Davey
Composer:
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Reviews for Push
In plot, it meanders. In character development, it implodes. In action, it plods. In effect, it numbs, but, alas, not quickly enough.
Push has amazing special effects and production design, but that doesn't compensate for the messy, incoherent plot and lack of truly palpable Sci-fi thrills and excitement.
Belle... is blank as a page, and the intended romantic chemistry between her and Evans is never in evidence.
Push has vibrant cinematography and decent acting, but I'm blasted if I know what it's about.
A better-than-average sci-fi thriller with genuine jolts and unexpected texture.
One of the better recent attempts at cashing in on the superhero film craze without having an actual comic book to adapt.
The best thing about the movie is that you can never predict exactly where it's going.
There are many problems with Push, and most are the usual boring things: unnecessary plot loops; long, dumb musical interludes; a charmless script; and ostentatious action sequences in which the only person excited is the cameraman.
Evans and 10,000 BC's Belle shuffle through a turgid romantic subplot, and though the two characters are very, very pretty, they've got the chemical spark of a banana.
Just as it's getting impossible to tell the superpowered humans without a scorecard, along comes Push to muddy the waters.
By the time the credits roll, your most fervent wish is to run into a 'wiper' (one who can erase memories).
A bargain basement melding of clichés from the X-Men franchise and TV’s Heroes.
You know a sci-fi script is in trouble when it spends the first five minutes narratively briefing you on its Byzantine plot -- and you're still not sure what's going on.
Latest News for Push
August 27, 2009:
Win in-season tickets to see sci-fi thriller Push
More...
July 06, 2009:
RT on DVD: Knowing, Push, The Unborn Unleashed
It's a genre lover's feast this week on DVD, but don't say we didn't warn you about those pesky rotten Tomatometers. First up? Alex Proyas's latest science fiction thriller,... More...
February 05, 2009:
Five Favorite Films with Djimon Hounsou
After giving critically-acclaimed performances in Oscar-nominated films like Amistad, In America, Gladiator, and Blood Diamond, Benin-born actor Djimon Hounsou finally gets to... More...
February 05, 2009:
Critics Consensus: Coraline Is Certified Fresh
This week at the movies, we've got dark whimsy (Coraline, with voice work by Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher); love mishaps (He's Just Not That Into You, starring Jennifer... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 18% 18% | New in Town |
| 23% 23% | Push |
| 43% 43% | Fragments |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

20 double passes to win to the new animated film, produced by Tim Burton.

Free double passes to join Spike Jonze's wild rumpus.



Top Critic

