"SLC-S25/W4-Movie Snapshots|Time Travel and twist("57 Seconds")

"57 Seconds" (2023) – A Sci-Fi Thriller with a Twist of Time

Directed by: Rusty Cundieff
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Morgan Freeman
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Runtime: Approximately 99 minutes

---

Overview

57 Seconds is a 2023 sci-fi thriller that explores the intriguing idea of time manipulation. Directed by Rusty Cundieff and inspired by E.C. Tubb's short story titled Lucifer, the film weaves together themes of revenge, technology, and ethics into a fast-paced and often dark storyline. Featuring a cast led by Josh Hutcherson and Morgan Freeman, the movie seeks to illustrate how even a minor disruption in time can lead to significant consequences.

Franklin Fox

---

Plot Summary

Josh Hutcherson portrays Franklin Fox, a tech blogger whose ambitions exceed his current position. Franklin is a driven, albeit somewhat obsessive, young man who gains entry to a major tech conference where he intends to interview the elusive visionary Anton Burrell (Morgan Freeman), a celebrated tech expert and pharmaceutical mogul recognized for his groundbreaking innovations.

Anton Burrell

During the interview, Franklin prevents an assassination attempt on Burrell, earning the older man's appreciation. However, amidst the chaos, Franklin discovers a strange ring left behind by the would-be assassin. This ring is no ordinary accessory — it grants the wearer the ability to travel exactly 57 seconds into the past. This seemingly trivial amount of time sets the stage for a thrilling journey of revenge, discovery, and ethical dilemmas.

Franklin checking out the strange ring

Franklin setting a date with his crush

Franklin moving into his million $ apartment

Equipped with this new ability, Franklin initially exploits the ring for personal benefits, from impressing his crush to bending events to his advantage. Yet, he soon targets a more perilous objective: avenging his sister's death, which resulted from the side effects of a drug created by Burrell's pharmaceutical company. As Franklin delves deeper into the web of conspiracy and deceit, his understanding of right and wrong starts to fade.

---

Themes and Concepts

57 Seconds revolves around the well-known sci-fi idea of time travel, but with a unique twist — the ability to rewind time is limited to just 57 seconds. This restriction compels the main character to think quickly and strategically, leading to some creatively intense moments. The film explores themes such as:

The Ethical Use of Technology: Is it wise to trust anyone with the power to alter time, even in small ways?

The strange ring that made Franklin a superhero

Revenge vs. Justice: Franklin’s journey makes him question if he is a hero or just a man driven by revenge.

---

Performances

Josh Hutcherson gives a strong performance as Franklin, effectively portraying the character’s vulnerability, intelligence, and increasing obsession. His depiction of a man torn between personal grief and ethical dilemmas adds emotional depth to the otherwise fast-paced narrative.

Morgan Freeman, while not in a leading role throughout the film, contributes his signature gravitas to the character of Anton Burrell. Freeman’s composed presence contrasts nicely with the darker aspects of his character, keeping the audience guessing about his true motives.

Franklin meeting Sig Thorenson

---

Direction and Cinematography

Rusty Cundieff, recognized for his contributions to both comedy and horror, adopts a more serious approach in this film. He maintains a tight pace and a tense tone throughout. The cinematography enhances the sci-fi theme with sleek, modern visuals and subtle effects during time rewinds that feel natural instead of exaggerated. The time-travel scenes are simple yet effective, avoiding unnecessary visual distractions while clearly indicating a shift in the timeline.

---

Reception

Critically, 57 Seconds garnered mixed reviews. Some reviewers appreciated the originality of its main concept and the strong performances from the leads, while others pointed out the film's underdeveloped characters and somewhat predictable storyline. Although the movie doesn’t revolutionize the time-travel genre, it provides a fresh perspective by concentrating on a very brief loop and the repercussions of misusing it.

Sig Thorenson captures Franklin

---

Strengths

Unique Premise: The concept of controlling only 57 seconds of the past generates ongoing tension and creative storytelling opportunities.

Moral Complexity: The film encourages viewers to consider what they would do with such power.

Short Runtime: At just under 100 minutes, the film is quick and doesn’t linger longer than necessary.

---

Weaknesses

Limited World-Building: The movie fails to thoroughly examine the ring's mechanics or its background, which may leave some sci-fi enthusiasts unsatisfied.

Simplified Villainy: A few of the villains come off as rather flat, especially the pharmaceutical executives and their hired thugs.

Uneven Pacing Toward the End: The last part rushes through important emotional and story conclusions, which might have had a greater effect with more gradual development.

---

Conclusion

57 Seconds is a short, captivating thriller that effectively utilizes its unique idea. Although it has some shortcomings, the film offers sufficient intrigue, suspense, and ethical complexity to maintain viewer interest. It’s a worthwhile experience for fans of budget-friendly science fiction who appreciate thought-provoking stories in quick-moving plots.

My rating for this movie is 10/10

All images are screenshots from my phone

I invite @eliany @sergeyk @nancy0