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Cellular (2004)

Overview 

I haven't done a movie review in a long time. Possibly because nothing was striking a chord or energizing me enough to write about it. Now let's address the burning question. 

Why 'Cellular'? Why now?

Simple, it was mightily entertaining and helped to enliven an otherwise drab day. 

You might say, this was the same thing I had said for some other reviews. 

My reply would be that I wholeheartedly accept that observation. Plus what more do you need to espouse a movie when it keeps you hooked all throughout its duration. So let's dive into the nitty-gritty of the movie without any further ado.

Cellular 2004
Cellular (2004) 

Plot

Carefree and somewhat sluggish Ryan (Chris Evans) is enjoying a typical sunny day on the Santa Monica pier when he runs into his ex, Chloe (Jessica Biel). Ryan offers to make it up to Chloe by helping out with her fundraiser. Chloe is not impressed but assigns an errand to Ryan.

On the way to the errand , Ryan receives a mysterious phone call on his cell. The frantic caller identifies herself as Jessica Martin (Kim Basinger). She lets Ryan know that she is calling from a makeshift phone which was left damaged by a dangerous man (Jason Statham) who had kidnapped her and beseeches Ryan to go to the police. Ryan at first doesn't believe the caller but finally relents after much deliberation.

Kim Basinger in Cellular
Kim Basinger as Jessica

Chris Evans in Cellular
Chris Evans as Ryan

Ryan stops at a police station and reports the matter to Sergeant Mooney (William H. Macy) whose curiosity is piqued when he hears the woman's voice. He diligently notes her details down but his attention is diverted when a fight breaks out at the police station. He directs Ryan to reach out to the detective division before jumping in to stop the melee.

William H. Macy as Sergeant Mooney in Cellular
Sergeant Mooney hears Jessica's plight

On the way to the detective division Ryan is alerted by a hysterical Jessica that the kidnappers were heading out to grab her son from school. Not having a moment to lose, Ryan abandons his mission and  hurries towards the school. Will he reach in time to save the kid?

After sorting the disturbance out, Sergeant Mooney inquires with his detective colleague about the kidnapped woman. When he learns that nobody reported such a case, he himself decides to go to the woman's house to investigate the matter. There to his greatest surprise he finds Jessica Martin safe and sound. Has Jessica really been kidnapped or is the whole thing just a sham?

Valerie Cruz in Cellular
Sergeant Mooney finds a 'Jessica'

Who are Jessica's mysterious captor and what are their motives? To know the answers to all of these questions you have to watch Cellular. 


Why Cellular?

  1. An action movie survives on strong conflict. Jessica wants to escape while Jason Statham's character needs her to stay captive. Ryan wants to help Jessica but also needs to be there for his estranged girlfriend. Sergeant Mooney wants to end his career on a high and get the respect he so dearly craves for. Multiple threads play out with each of the lead characters and all of them converge into an explosive climax. The multiple parallel threads ensure that there's not a single dull moment in the movie.
  2. The a-list star cast is a huge plus for this movie. Kim Basinger as Jessica Martin is top notch. You can't help but feel for the peril she finds herself in. William H. Macy delivers a sincere performance (as always), his investigation scenes are definitely a highlight of this movie. Before he was a star, he was a heavy and Jason Statham looks every bit menacing as the lead antagonist. A pre-Captain America Chris Evans lights up the screen with his energy. He oscillates effortlessly between the carefree and savior-in-need personas of Ryan and more importantly takes you along on his roller-coaster pursuit. 
    Kim Basinger and Jason Statham in Cellular
    Jessica with her captors

  3. Action movies normally don't have a suspense element. The suspense in Cellular unfolds gradually as the plot progresses and I must say that some of the twists did surprise me.


Best Scene in the movie


The scene where Ryan holds up an entire electronics store as he desperately searches for a phone charger is both hilarious and thrilling at the same time.

Chris Evans as Ryan in Cellular
Ryan takes on an electronics store

Summary


You need escapist fare like the Cellular to transport you away from the dispiriting news that the world seems to be springing on us everyday. I watched Cellular and for about an hour and a half was able to forget my mind could stop thinking about the malaises that are gripping this world. For that alone I recommend it for your healthy viewing. Best thing about this movie is that you can watch it with your entire family.

Verdict: Recommended Watch

Until Next Time,

Your Movie Buff,
Chaitanya J.J.



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