Survivor

Alchemy | Release Date: May 29, 2015

4.1	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 47 Ratings

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MeritCobaSep 27, 2015

Mila Jovovich runs the danger of becoming synonymous with under par movies, just like Uwe Boll's reputation precedes him. It would be unfair, because she really seems to improve her acting and perhaps she might even do some more serious workMila Jovovich runs the danger of becoming synonymous with under par movies, just like Uwe Boll's reputation precedes him. It would be unfair, because she really seems to improve her acting and perhaps she might even do some more serious work later down the line. It remains to be seen.

In this movie her character is fleshed out some more, albeit still in a shallow way for this is an action movie and it doesn't linger too much on backgrounds. The movie is filled with some seasoned actors, Pierce Brosan, Dylan McDermott and Robert Forster which seems to be a setup for a somewhat better movie. Rest asure: it isn't.

A bunch of characters are wiped of the face of the earth early on so the movie can turn into a cat and mouse game between Jovovich and Brosnan, which is the meat of the story. To make sure nobody will aid Jovovich she gets mistaken for having murdered Forster and this coupled with the usual bad-guys-control-everything ploy, the local-authorities-do-not-believe her trick and her-coworkers-do-not-either element is a definite sign that the script forgoes any originality and plunges to the depth of banalities. It isn't even that the concept is wrong - most stories are similar - but there isn't anything special, interesting, original or even specific entertaining about this movie that makes it in any way stand out .

Time and again the major weakness of many movies is the story. It astounds me. With so many books and writers out there, is it really impossible to create a decent script with some decent characters and acceptable dialogues? It can't be that hard, for sure? As it is Survivor is an incredible waster of actor potential that just baffles by doing so..

Unspectacular to say the least...… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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TheChaser1985Jun 10, 2015

I liked a lot of the actors, especially McDermott... but even Mila's acting was bad. The story was decent but it wasn't executed and the ending sucked pretty bad. The journey to get to the ending was decent but it failed in the end.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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TheQuietGamerJul 12, 2015

"Survivor" is what you get when you take a mostly solid cast and put them in a generic pseudo-spy movie with a plot surrounding a conspiracy. Not only is it very unoriginal, but it also has the disadvantage of being uninteresting as well."Survivor" is what you get when you take a mostly solid cast and put them in a generic pseudo-spy movie with a plot surrounding a conspiracy. Not only is it very unoriginal, but it also has the disadvantage of being uninteresting as well. There's not enough action in this action-thriller and it's also missing out on the thrills.

With a lead actress like Milla Jovovich who is known for being one of the few female action stars out there you would think we get to see her do some actual action scenes here. It definitely would have set the movie apart from the rest of the genre. Especially had she gone toe-to-toe with Brosnan for more than just one scene in the end. Unfortunately there's only one fight scene at the end and by then it's too little too late. All Jovovich is left to do for the majority of this movie is run. It's not very exciting.

As far as Brosnan goes he isn't much to speak of here either. He doesn't really play a character. Just a mindless assassin meant to shoot at (and totally miss) Jovovich. He's not used well here. AS far as the plot goes it falls apart the moment you start to look at it. Without any action to keep viewers distracted, looking at the plot is really all there is to do here. The whole scenario is made possible by absurdity. When watching it you'll begin to notice how ludicrous characters actions are. There are smarter and more believable ways that something like this would all go down. That wouldn't have mattered had their been more real action, but again there isn't.

Survivor ends up being a lackluster, generic, and ultimately boring action-thriller that despite a compelling cast just isn't really worth watching. I'm sure there are some out there who are big enough fans of the genre to put up with this films problems, but even they will admit that there are plenty of better alternatives out there. Most people though are just better off skipping this in favor of more entertaining options.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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quincytheodoreJun 4, 2015

The narrative isn't particularly strong as it barely survives with star-studded cast and attractive cityscape. Survivor is a straightforward spy thriller. It creates a timid suspense with typical espionage plot, which can be shaky at times.The narrative isn't particularly strong as it barely survives with star-studded cast and attractive cityscape. Survivor is a straightforward spy thriller. It creates a timid suspense with typical espionage plot, which can be shaky at times. Story starts rather slow and the way it tries to cover the narrative is bit hectic, especially in midway point. Fortunately, the veteran actors bring appeal to the on-screen characters as they scurry at beautiful locations. Survivor is not flawed to the point of absurdity, though it doesn't really shine in any special way.

Kate (Milla Jovovich) is a newly employed security staff at US embassy in London. Her job is to filter visa applicants for terrorist threat, as she tries to investigate an anomaly on the data, there's an attack on the staff. Desperately trying to uncover the conspiracy and now wrongly accused of the attack, Kate must prevent the attack while surviving being hunted by professional assassin and law officers.

The premise is set up pretty well, although the pace needs a while to get momentum. It also speeds up in the second act hectically, so audience might find the timeline jarring. Nevertheless, as a thriller the movie is presentably gripping, moving the plot with mostly fast pace. The cast gives amicable performances with major names delivering what's expected of them.

Milla Jovovich has lots of experience in tough leading female, she looks capable on revealing the mystery and fending off threats, though there’s not much personality other than aforementioned tough chick. Dylan McDermott as the supervisor has the air of reliable ally, and thankfully without being forced in romantic subplot. To round it up, Pierce Brosnan plays as a professional who works for mysterious party. He expectedly has on-screen presence, but his character is a one-dimensionally bloodthirsty.

Cinematography is solid, capitalizing on prominent view of London. It displays some nice shots of the streets and residential area, even in smaller scale setting the movie has good ambiance. Action and mystery are decent, none stand out too much or has remarkable twists, they simply get the job done. For those who have seen Tom Clancy's movie, this movie should be familiar or a bit lacking, unfortunately.

Survivor isn't demanding nor does it offer anything novel in any way, this isn't Bond or Bourne, which is all right. The premise works in the confined boundary of action thriller, the fine cast and pleasing scenery will entertain to some degree.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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RichardGonciJun 5, 2015

The previous reviewer, "quincytheodore," did a very nice job of summing up the movie. Oddly, as I am usually kind of a tough critic, I was not terribly disappointed with "Survivor." Because it does have a stellar cast, I was happy to justThe previous reviewer, "quincytheodore," did a very nice job of summing up the movie. Oddly, as I am usually kind of a tough critic, I was not terribly disappointed with "Survivor." Because it does have a stellar cast, I was happy to just go along for the ride. There are many silly anomalies: as one with a passing knowledge of firearms, you don't shoot a case-hardened padlock at close range, unless you have death wish, especially when it's attached to a cheesy hasp that you could just kick in; while on the run and shopping, our heroine never bothers to purchase a little make-up kit to guise her substantial facial injuries; likewise, since she is "on-the-run" I could not understand why she replaced her high heels with high-heeled boots instead of running shoes; the dramatic denouement was only possible because of an encounter that put a pistol in her hands... otherwise, "Sayonara New York City!" Etc, etc.I, too, was annoyed by the gratuitous dire warning at the closing credits. When our own Department of Defense sends live anthrax viruses to 11 locations in America, I think we should be doing due-diligence of another kind... not to mention the 4,000,000,000 + personnel records that were hacked this week from federal government files! Anyway, the competent filming and engaging actors made this worth the watching.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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MrScallopsJun 19, 2019

Featuring a stale Brosnan and an uninspiring cast, "Survivor" is a messy and quiet cat & mouse game without any hooks. There's no real drive, no soul and no point point; despite its high tempo there's really no excitement. Featuring blandFeaturing a stale Brosnan and an uninspiring cast, "Survivor" is a messy and quiet cat & mouse game without any hooks. There's no real drive, no soul and no point point; despite its high tempo there's really no excitement. Featuring bland villains and action scenes that are cut short as well as gaping plot holes and a rubbish ending.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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