A&E Review: 'Push' packed with action, familiar thrills

February 11, 2009
By Nicole Calcagno
A&E Reporter

One knows a movie is good when it takes the audience by surprise. Push staring Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans, and Camilla Belle is one such film. Packed with action from beginning to end, the colors, the music, and the action also really draw in the viewer.             

Push has a very “Matrix”-type feel with the movement and powers of the characters. This movie is not sugar coated either; There is violence, but it is suitable for the story.           

Each character in the movie has a different power. Fanning is a psychic who can see the future   ( a “watcher”), Evans, of “Fantastic Four” fame, is a telekinetic or a “mover”, and Belle, as a “pusher,”  can influence a person's thoughts and implant memories. They use these powers throughout the movie, and it is very exciting when they do.

The three main characters band together to try to take down this government agency called the “Division,” which is a group who recruits these people with powers and kills them if they do not comply.     

The movie is meant to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Another group with the same mission and its own “watcher” becomes the main foe of Fanning and co., leading to intense battle scenes.  There is no way to predict the outcome of this movie; that is the best part of it.           

There are definite similarities to some previous characters in comic books and other movies of the sort, but this movie is still unique and original.

However, it is also awkward in that one sees a very grown up Dakota Fanning. Moviegoers are used to seeing Fanning as a sweet innocent little girl who needs saving in movies such as War Of The Worlds and Man On Fire. In this movie, Fanning swears, gets drunk, wears short skirts, and carries guns. A change, for sure, but maybe the highlight of the movie.

I would give this film 4 stars.