The Adam Project Review: A Passable Sci-Fi Adventure



A pilot from the future travels back in time and teams up with his younger self. The Adam Project is a passable science fiction adventure with good cast chemistry and visual effects. Star Ryan Reynolds trademark sarcastic delivery gets a worthy accomplice with young Walker Scobell. Their sharp back and forth, along with solid action scenes, make up for a disjointed script. The time travel aspect has logic holes you can drive a truck through.

In 2050, fighter pilot Adam Reed (Reynolds) steals a high-tech jet with the ability to create quantum wormholes. He’s injured during the heist and misses his target date in the past. In 2022, Young Adam (Scobell) is a pint-sized smart-aleck who gets pummeled by bullies on a daily basis. His exasperated mother, Ellie (Jennifer Garner), begs him to watch his mouth. He shrugs off her advice with a feisty retort. Both are still grieving over the loss of Adam’s father, Louis (Mark Ruffalo), in an accident.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Young Adam hears a commotion in the forest behind his house. He returns to his father’s work shed to find a bleeding future Adam. He’s floored to learn his older self is handsome, muscular, and stocked with incredible gadgets. Future Adam tries his best to keep the details of his mission secret. He was aiming for 2018. Future Adam needs to heal and repair the jet before making another jump. Their time runs out when future industrialist Maya Sorian (Catherine Keener) and her armored goons finds them.

What Works In The Adam Project

Let’s start with what works. Walter Scobell is hilarious as a runt tired of getting his butt kicked. The poor kid is repeatedly beaten bloody by punks. The idea that he grows and beefs up is a dream come true. Ryan Reynolds gets equal laughs for the opposite reason. He despised his childhood weakness. Getting bullied was just one of many problems. Future Adam hates himself for treating his mother poorly. And holds a grudge against his father for caring more about his job. The family reconciliation subplot has emotional depth. The ensemble cast succeeds in being humorous and heartfelt.

Future Adam has an important reason for his quantum escapades, but the script makes little sense in its use of the technology. Characters pop up like time travel whack-a-mole. They inexplicably converge at Young Adam’s house. The baddies could literally go back at any point in the past to stop Adam. The 2022 setting is just a set-up for them to get thrashed. You could argue paradoxes all day with the inadvertent changes to the timeline. The Adam Project doesn’t want you to think about the plot’s mechanics.

Related: The Adam Project: Cast, Plot, Release Date, and Everything Else We Know

The action scenes draw heavily from other popular sci-fi franchises. Future Adam fights with an extendable baton that’s pretty much a lightsaber. The intellectual property suits must have cleared its use. The aerial dogfights reminded me of the jet chases from Independence Day. Catherine Keener’s antagonist has subordinates with invisibility cloaking armor. They attack like the Jem’Hadar soldiers in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It all looks great but is definitely not original.

The Adam Project can easily be picked apart. The film does not hold up to scrutiny, but a likable cast goes a long way. Walker Scobell holds his own against talented comedic actors. I’ll speak an honest truth for all the sci-fi nerds out there. Awesome lightsaber battles, in any form, are worth seeing.

The Adam Project is a production of Skydance Media and 21 Laps Entertainment. It will have a March 11th global streaming premiere exclusively on Netflix.

Why The Batman May Be the Most Batman Movie Yet

Read Next

About The Author

Julian Roman
(1476 Articles Published)

Julian Roman has been with Movieweb for nearly twenty years. An avid film buff, he feels lucky to have interviewed and written extensively about Hollywood’s greatest talents. In his spare time he plays guitar, treasures good company, and always seeks new adventures.

More
From Julian Roman

You can view the original article HERE.

Michigan Politician Swears Gonzaga Hoops Team Buses Are Full Of ‘Illegal Invaders’
Kanye West Avoided Diddy Meetup During Rolling Loud Performance
Marvel’s Blade Delayed Amid Writers Strike
Diddy Seen Talking with Federal Agents at Airport as Associate is Arrested
Sydney Sweeney Swaps Madame Web’s Spider-Woman For Power Girl in DC Fan Art
Giancarlo Esposito Can’t Keep Overcrowded, Rushed Parish on the Road | TV/Streaming
Femme Review | An Edge-of-Your-Seat Queering of the Neo-Noir Crime Thriller
Gillian Anderson Reveals Why She Almost Gave Up Acting 24 Years Ago
Will Batman be in The Penguin TV series?
Fake and laced benzos are circulating in the UK – causing a “fentanyl-style epidemic”
Lzzy Hale to front Skid Row for upcoming tour
Cillian Murphy reveals he’s gone vegan
Panthers sign Clowney to reported 2-year deal
Ham thrilled as Lakers rally for ‘top-3’ win of year
Report: Cowboys haven’t made Dak extension offers
The Money Game: How Much Can College Athletes Earn with NIL
One Euphoria Actor Doubts Season 3 Will Ever Be Made
Chicago PD Season 11 Episode 8 Review: On Paper
Malcolm in the Middle Revival Now the ‘Closest It’s Ever Been,’ Frankie Muniz Reveals
The Good Doctor Season 7 Episode 4 Review: Date Night
Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank, and More Announce Return!
Swarovski’s Underwater Glamazons, Megahn Markle’s Beauty Line, & More!
Cher’s Closet From Clueless Is Becoming A Reality, Thanks To Vêtir
Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson Welcome Their First Baby!