I appreciate when a “high-concept” science-fiction thriller or action movie boasts enough ambition to address large questions; that’s much of what makes the genre my all-time favorite.  Self/Less questions mankind’s quest for immortality, wondering whether sacrifices made to gain immortality are justifiable.

Tarsem Singh’s loose, unofficial remake of John Frankenheimer’s Seconds is a more commercial version of the tale.  Rich guy Ben Kingsley has only one chance to beat the cancer killing him; he agrees, for a hefty price, to undergo a secret medical procedure wherein he receives a new body for his mind.  The result is the body of Ryan Reynolds — and a few of his memories as well.  Curiosity leads to trouble for everyone involved, and a mighty entertaining movie develops.

While Self/Less is not nearly as original or imaginative as Seconds, it is very slickly made.  The only sequence I felt completely failed was the big car chase scene, which was fun but made no sense whatsoever.  Otherwise the story develops nicely, with a couple of sweet surprises along the way.  And few films can find a way to utilize a flamethrower the way this one does.

What really works are the ramifications of Self/Less‘s revolutionary technology, as experienced by these characters.  As those characters scramble to survive, the big ideas are always present in the background, dictating choices and actions, even as the people remain unaware of that fact.  The film is generally smart (some details are not) and it ends very satisfactorily.  It isn’t the minor masterpiece that Seconds  is, but it’s pretty solid, substantial entertainment.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  16 July 2015.