“Deja Vu” is a high-action, crime-drama, sci-fi, thriller which is exactly what you would expect from Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of such action-adventures as “Con Air,” “Enemy of the State,” “National Treasure,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and another Denzel Washington favorite, “Remember the Titans.” The story opens with an explosion on board a New Orleans Ferry, and takes the audience back through the unfolding of events that led up to the tragic scene. Even the most modern technology hasn’t gone as far as the storyline takes you. The premise is thrilling and the implications stimulate the imagination. For example: how would altering the past impact people and events of the future?
The acting is superb, with Denzel Washington and Paula Patton as romantic leads. James Caviezel does an extraordinary job as the villain, which is a departure from his role as Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ.”
There is plenty of action and some of it violent. Be prepared to see a few corpses like those on television’s “CSI” or “Crossing Jordon.” There are gun fights, but with a minimum of blood. While the movie is certainly intense, much of the severe action is implicit and takes place off camera. Unfortunately, nudity, violence and profanity pushed this action pic out of reach for the Dove Seal.
This is one of the few remaining Touchstone Pictures releases. Parent company, Walt Disney Studios, is committed to producing future action movies that appeal to a wider family audience.