Name: The Adam Project
Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction, Comedy
Released: 2022-03-11T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldaña

The opening shot of The Adam Project is a time jet spiraling out of control, crashing into a quiet suburban backyard in 2022. It’s an arresting image, one that immediately sets the tone for this science fiction action comedy: part family drama, part thrilling adventure, and part nostalgic homage to ’80s classics like Back to the Future and The Last Starfighter. Directed by Shawn Levy, a veteran of blockbuster fare like Night at the Museum and Real Steel, the film is written by a quartet of screenwriters—Jonathan Tropper, T. S. Nowlin, Jennifer Flackett, and Mark Levin. Their collective effort results in a screenplay that blends time travel with emotional family stakes, aiming to capture the spirit of beloved adventure films while carving out its own identity.

The premise is engaging: Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds), a fighter pilot from 2050, steals a time jet to escape to 2018 and save his wife, Laura, from assassination. During his escape, he is injured and crash-lands in 2022, where he encounters his 12-year-old self (Walker Scobell), who has been dealing with the loss of his father (Mark Ruffalo) the year before. The film’s central conceit—two versions of the same character navigating a shared crisis—is a ripe ground for both action and comedy, and The Adam Project mines this dynamic effectively.

What works best about the film are the performances, particularly those of Reynolds and Scobell. Their chemistry is palpable, balancing the action with the inherent comedy of having two versions of the same character clash and eventually bond. Reynolds brings his signature wit to the role of Big Adam, delivering one-liners with a smirk that feels both familiar and fresh. His portrayal of the hardened future soldier contrasts sharply with Scobell’s younger, more vulnerable version of Adam, who is still grappling with grief and bullying at school. Scobell holds his own against Reynolds, showcasing a natural talent that makes their interactions feel authentic and heartfelt.

The dynamic between Reynolds and Scobell is the heart of the film, elevating even the more predictable moments. Their shared scenes are filled with a mix of tension and camaraderie, as Big Adam tries to convince Young Adam of the truth about time travel and the future. The emotional core of the story—Young Adam’s grief over his father’s death and his strained relationship with his mother (Jennifer Garner)—adds depth to the action-packed plot. However, these emotional beats could have been explored more deeply rather than being sidelined by the time-travel shenanigans.

The action sequences are well-choreographed and visually striking, with Levy making effective use of practical effects alongside CGI. The film’s set pieces, from the initial crash-landing to the climactic battle at Sorian Technologies, are executed with a sense of urgency and spectacle that keeps the audience engaged. The time-travel mechanics are explained just enough to keep the plot moving without bogging it down in unnecessary detail. Levy’s direction is steady, ensuring that the film maintains a brisk pace even as it juggles multiple genres.

The score by Rob Simonsen adds a layer of nostalgia, evoking the adventure films of decades past. The music swells during key moments, enhancing the emotional impact and heightening the tension during action sequences. The visual effects are generally solid, with the time-travel elements looking convincing enough to suspend disbelief.

However, the film falters when it tries to juggle too many genres at once. While the blend of action, comedy, and family drama can be entertaining, it sometimes feels disjointed. The emotional beats, particularly those surrounding Young Adam’s grief over his father’s death, could have been explored more deeply rather than being sidelined by the time-travel shenanigans. Additionally, some of the humor falls flat, relying too heavily on Reynolds’ one-liners rather than organic comedic moments.

The film’s pacing is another issue. At times, it races through plot points without giving them the necessary weight or development. The stakes feel high, but the emotional core occasionally gets lost in the shuffle. The villains, particularly Maya Sorian (Catherine Keener) and Christos (Alex Mallari Jr.), are serviceable but lack the depth to make their motivations truly compelling. Sorian’s ambition to monopolize time travel is a interesting concept, but her character is underdeveloped, making her more of a generic antagonist than a formidable foe.

Despite these flaws, The Adam Project is a solid entry in the science fiction action comedy genre. It’s a film that knows its strengths—Reynolds and Scobell’s chemistry, the well-executed action sequences—and leans into them effectively. The film’s homage to ’80s adventure films will appeal to fans of those classics, while its blend of action and emotion offers something for a broader audience.

In the end, The Adam Project is a entertaining but flawed film. It succeeds in delivering thrilling action and heartfelt moments, but it stumbles when trying to balance too many genres at once. The performances by Reynolds and Scobell are the highlights, carrying the film through its more predictable beats.