FLATLINERS

Mystery of the afterlife is explored in this adequate remake of the 1990 science fiction classic which starred Julia Roberts and Keifer Sutherland in the pivotal roles.

Instead of sustaining life, five medical students take it in turns to stop their hearts for short periods of time, recording their near death experiences. Upon resuscitation, they see dead people and experience hauntings which makes them question whether they have opened the doors to the spiritual world.

Ellen Page delivers a good performance, heading a relatively unknown young cast as Courtney, the leader of the nutty medical team while Keifer Sutherland makes a surprise appearance as the medical trainer.

Momentum builds quickly and there are enough scary scenes to keep lovers of this genre of film at the edge of their seats throughout.

This is clearly one of the more tolerable “C” grade science fiction flicks in recent times, but unfortunately it clearly resonates that filmmakers should concentrate on original ideas instead of regurgitating old film scripts.

Ultimately, is there an afterlife? Of course there is and flatliners don’t only return with increased intelligence, but hysterically with an enhanced libido! (MMo)

★★1/2