Project Almanac

Happy Casual Friday, Freaks and Geeks. This weekend there’s few movies coming out and I’m here to give you fresh reviews to make your decision as to what to see. Let’s talk Project Almanac. Project Almanac stars Jonny Weston,  Amy Landecker, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Allen Evangelista, & Sam Lerner. Jonny Weston plays David Raskin, a brilliant high school senior with hopes to graduate and head to MIT. When asked to submit a proposal for a thesis project, he and his friends stumble upon plans created by his Father for a time machine. They soon find out how timeline changes spiral out of control.

Initial Impressions

When I first saw the trailer, I have to say, I was intrigued. I’m a huge Back to the Future & Doctor Who fan, so time travel movies get me at “hello”. What was at first a deal breaker was the fact that it was filmed using the found footage method. I have and never been a fan of found footage, but the lore of time travel won out my disdain for Handy-Cam Mayhem.

The acting and drama presented in the trailers that had been released got me anxious to see how the movie would turn out as well. It felt like a fugitive, Minority Report, Enemy of the State mix that was going to be thrilling from start to finish. I like when a trailer leaves me feeling as anxious as the characters in the movie. I thought to myself: Well what’s next??!!

A Penny For My Thoughts

I actually really enjoyed the film. I loved every bit of the action took place and the discovery the group makes when they are developing the time machine. The power in the movie is the statement it tries to make by saying take your risks and chances the first time around. Resolve within yourself to make that move now, because you don’t normally get second chances and even if you did, things end up being worse.

It was more a coming-of-age love story wrapped in the guise of a sci-fi thriller. more than anything else, the creators wanted to tell a coming of age tell using time travel as a plot device. My only gripe is that in using the time machine tool, they left a lot of gaps in the story involving looping and things of that nature. What happens when you meet yourself in the timeline is explained in an interesting way that brings the risk of this theory to life.

In not really fleshing out the theory they used, there were a lot of plot holes and more questions left more than anything. At times I felt like they gave up on the sci-fi to tell a more romantic love story. In my opinion it hurts the movie more than helps it. If you ignore it, it does sit well with you, but, if you think about it too hard, what you’re left with is a movie that in a lot of ways leave you wanting more answers.

It was a fun ride in the fact that when the movie turns bad for our stars, it really becomes relentless. It can, however feel a bit rushed and leave you feeling like there was really no resolution. If you like the sci-fi genre and time travel specifically, then give this a look over, because it will be fun. If it’s not up you’re alley and you like clean resolution of stories, then let this one time jump past you. As for me I’m half in and half out on this.