Written and Directed by Leigh Whannell
Cast: Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson, Benedict Hardie, Christopher Kirby, Clayton Jacobson, Melanie Vallejo, Sachin Joab, Michael M. Foster, Richard Cawthorne, Simon Maiden, Rosco Campbell
Soundtrack: Jed Palmer
Based on the marketing for this film, I was expecting just some fun schlock (which I would have been more than happy with).
Turns out, it’s got a little more going on than that.
In a nutshell, Upgrade is a high tech Death Wish (the original original, before Cannon got their hands on it); a satisfying blend of sci-fi, action, and horror. It’s not the most original or surprising movie you’ll ever see, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, despite the futuristic setting, I’d call it a nice throwback, as the dark tone and deliberate pacing reminded me of something out of the Eighties (which is another way of saying that it’s not wall-to-wall action, but what action it does have is well-executed).
Kudos to writer/director Leigh Whannell for doing quite a bit with what I imagine was not too much. Most Blumhouse movies don’t get made for more than $10 million (if even half that), and I assume this is no exception, and yet it’s just as entertaining as many contemporary films made for 10-20 times the budget.
Not to say that Upgrade is perfect. There were a few small stretches where I found myself saying, “I don’t know if this needs to be here,” and the performances overall are a bit hit-or-miss (although the lead and main villain are solid, which is good enough for something like this), but there’s definitely a lower-budget artistry and finesse that not everyone can pull off.
Not sure I’d call it a must-see, but it’s far from a rip-off, and it sticks with you. Definitely a nice change-up from bloated summer blockbusters if nothing else.
Rating: ★★★½ (out of five)