Starring
Yang Mi, Wallace Huo, King Shih-Chieh, Liu Chang, Hummer Zhang, Wang
Lidan. Directed by Chang. (2017/106 min).
Reset
is a fun, conceptually-engaging sci-fi thriller that seldom slows
down long enough for the viewer to question some of its
implausibilities.
Xia
Tian (Yang Mi) is one of the lead researchers at Nexus, which has
developed a machine that allows one to enter a parallel
universe two hours into the past. A rival corporation hires ruthless mercenary
Tsui Hu (Wallace Huo) to obtain the program for its own nefarious
purposes. To do this, he and his thugs kidnap Xia's son, Dou Dou
(Hummer Zhang), threatening to kill him in one hour unless she steals
the program from her lab. She succeeds, but they kill Dou Dou,
anyway.
 |
| "Who the hell puts a day care center on the top floor?" |
After
escaping, Xia goes returns to Nexus (with remarkable ease,
considering she's now suspected of murder, sabotage & theft) and
uses the machine to go back in time to save her son. Not only does
she have a slight advantage because she knows what'll happen before
it actually does, there are now two of her...then eventually three.
Unfortunately, not all the bugs have been worked out of the machine,
which has adverse physical effects on those who use it. Additionally,
there's an unexpected traitor in the Nexus corporation trying to
thwart her efforts to restore the program and protect Dou Dou.
 |
| Wallace Hou forgets where he parked. |
Reset
tells an exciting, violent and action-filled story with a lot of
panache, intriguingly playing around with the logistics of time
travel. Mi makes an impressive, sympathetic hero, though it isn't
explained how her character transforms from a meek researcher to an
increasingly fearless & skillful ass-kicker - able to outwit
trained killers - with each trip through the machine. Additionally,
having the bad guys blow up the entire Nexus building during Xia's
efforts to steal the program doesn't make a lot of narrative sense.
Doesn't that simply make it a lot more difficult for Xia to get them
what they want? Furthermore, if this is a parallel universe, isn't Dou Dou still dead in the first one?
I
suppose those are minor quips, since massive destruction is always
fun and movies like this aren't supposed to be scrutinized that
heavily, anyway. Reset is a fast-moving, entertaining ride
with plenty of action, decent special effects and an interesting
premise.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
None
KITTY CONSENSUS:
PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS
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