Published: November 10, 2008 03:28 pm      

'Lazarus' DVD is surprisingly entertaining

The Lazarus Project was released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Oct. 21. It’s a worthwhil watch and a movie that can stand multiple viewings. I recommend this for your library.

“The Lazarus Project” aka “The Heaven Project” is one of those straight-to-DVD releases, which was above the norm for direct to video.

After viewing it, I felt this was a lot better than some other theatrical and cinematic releases that were pure drivel.

Ben Garvey (Paul Walker) has a loving wife, Lisa (Piper Perabo) and darling daughter, Kate. He made a mistake in his past, but he’s gotten over it and is leading a clean life.

Unfortunately, fate steps in and Ben ends up on death row.

After watching the lethal injection, the next scene has Ben walking down a long road in the drizzling rain. As the scene continues the viewer wonders, Is he alive? Is he dead? Is he in Oregon? Is it Hell? Good acting which keeps you caring just enough. That and a curiosity in just how its going to pull together in the end.

All the actors do justice to their roles and the screenplay is tight and gripping. Its a nice thriller with a lot of emotional play as well.

The movie takes its time to unfold, but what carries this movie through is not just the storytelling, with its unique premise, but Paul Walker’s performance. Normally, he’s not exactly known for his acting chops, but he does a pretty decent job here of lending credibility to his character.

I actually came to care about what happened to Ben in this movie. All in all, this was a decent thriller with a good premise.

The only drawbacks are the plot holes. Some wide enough you can drive a tanker truck through — sideways. But the plot, actors and cinematography overcomes these failures.

Cast: Paul Walker, Piper Perabo, Brooklynn Proulx, Bob Gunton, Lambert Wilson, Linda Cardellini, Tony Curran, Malcolm Goodwin, Ross McMillan, Aaron Hughes, Sean Skene, John Callander, Shawn Hatosy, Alex Sol and Peter Jordan

The Lazarus Project

Rating (*** 1/2 out of *****)

Synopsis: (Courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) SPHE proudly releases the mind-bending psychological thriller The Lazarus Project on DVD on Oct. 21. In this chilling thriller, a man facing the death sentence inexplicably wakes up with a second chance at life, but soon realizes he may be part of something far more sinister. Special features include a slate of thrilling deleted scenes. Also stars Malcolm Goodwin, Tony Curran, Bob Gunton, Piper Perabo and Shawn Hatosy.

With parole almost behind him, Ben (Paul Walker) can’t believe how much he has to be thankful for: a beautiful wife, an adorable little girl and a steady paycheck. Life is good. But when he unexpectedly loses his job, Ben foolishly turns back to crime, joining his ex-con brother (Shawn Hatosy) in a robbery with deadly consequences. Suddenly facing a lethal injection, Ben must say goodbye to his family and prepare himself for the worst. But his death sentence isn’t quite what it seems, as Ben regains consciousness near an eerie psychiatric ward, where he’s told he’s been hired as the groundskeeper. With the state of his soul in question, and the love for his wife and daughter all the more real and powerful, Ben must figure out if he’s truly cheated death, or if he’s become part of something far more sinister.

The Lazarus Project is rated PG-13 for some violence, disturbing images and thematic material.

Running time: 100 minutes.

Special features

Deleted scenes