Movie Review: “Upgrade” is a greatly entertaining techno-thriller!

Movie Review: “Upgrade” (R)

We’re a little late with this one, but it should be noted that “Upgrade” is one of the most pleasant surprises of the summer movie season thus far! Actually, given the intensity and violence at the heart of this movie, perhaps “pleasant” is the wrong choice of words. This is a creative and appropriately brutal fusion of “Death Wish” and “Robocop” that manages to completely outclass the contemporary remakes of both of those properties. Sure, there are familiar tropes on display here. But it’s all about the execution, and in the end, “Upgrade” delivers the goods. And it does so by way of a very modest, Blumhouse-sized budget.

This hyperkinetic techno-thriller from Leigh Whannell (co-writer of “Saw” and director of “Insidious: Chapter 3”) stars Logan Marshall-Green as Grey Trace, a technophobe whose life is turned upside down after a brutal attack leaves him and his loving wife for dead. When Trace ultimately comes to, he finds himself confined to a wheelchair and plagued with thoughts of suicide. With a burning desire to bring his assailants to justice, Trace undergoes a radical procedure that gives him a brand new lease on life. Said procedure involves a microchip implant that not only returns the use of his legs to him but also gives him an entirely new set of skills, including lighting-quick speed and superhuman strength! With these perks comes the inner voice of Stem, the artificial intelligence that now aids in controlling his body from the inside. Eventually, Trace and his newfound internal partner engage in a noir-laced mystery that leads them in a handful of unexpected directions.

“Upgrade” is an absolute blast! It bristles with the sort of provocative tech-heavy themes you might find in a top notch “Black Mirror” episode, but everything is encased in an accessible action-movie framework. In addition to the obvious odes to “Death Wish” and “Robocop,” you will also most certainly see shades of “2001,” “Universal Soldier,” “War Games,” “Innerspace,” “Blade Runner,” and the “Bourne” series. And not to shy away from paying tribute to his many inspirations, Whannell also brings a bit of David Cronenberg-influenced body horror to the table as well. Long live the new flesh!

As a Timex watch in a digital age, Green (who bears an eerie resemblance to Tom Hardy) is outstanding in this picture. He’s an old-school soul plunged into a futuristic, tech-controlled nightmare. There are moments of physical play here that reminded me of Bruce Campbell’s masterful work in “Evil Dead II” — check out the baffled look on Trace’s face after he allows Stem to take over his entire body upon getting into a nasty scrape with a knife-wielding baddie — but Green also brings real dramatic weight to the proceedings. We feel for this guy in the same way we felt for Harrison Ford’s Richard Kimble in “The Fugitive,” and from the get-go, we’re rooting for Trace to prove his innocence and exact justice upon those who did him wrong. Green really pulls you in, and while there’s a lot about “Upgrade” that’s worth noting, his performance is a big key to this film’s overall success.

Even if you figure out the mystery part of it early on, there’s no doubt that Whannell has fashioned a really fun ride. “Upgrade” is exciting and benefits from outstanding action sequences, a weighty Green performance, crazy cool (and scary) ideas about tech, and wonderful bursts of humor to go along with all the carnage. And bonus points for a ballsy ending and an outstanding Jed Palmer score. Yep, “Upgrade” is quite the pleasant surprise. If it’s still playing in your area, it’s well worth seeing!

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