Film Preview: Flatliners (2017)

Page Revisions:

(June 18, 2017) Original
(September 17, 2017) New Trailer (#2) / New Posters (#2-#8)

Release Date:

September 29, 2017

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Medical students experiment on “near death” experiences that involve past tragedies until the dark consequences begin to jeopardize their lives.”

Poster Rating: B / C- / C / B- (5)

SEE ALL POSTERS BELOW
Review: (#1) A rather cheesy tagline accompanying a colorful, symbolic poster design. It’s not great, but it’s at least noticeable.

(#2) At first glance, this poster looks fascinating, as if they pulled the overlaying images from the film itself. However, upon closer inspection, these are digitally modified and enhanced. A clever concept, but not one particularly well executed. (#3) On the precipice of something dark and foreboding with a lifeline between five med students and a drop-off is a most interesting metaphor, but one that feels a bit too staged and plain. (#4-#8) These character posters are visually interesting, though rudimentary in their attempts at creating an effect.

Trailer Rating: C+ / C

SEE ALL TRAILERS BELOW
Review: (#1) Having seen the original in the theater 27 years ago, I can’t say that this new trailer gives me much interest in the remake. There are some interesting elements in the trailer, but it’s hopelessly generic overall.

(#2) If they could make the film feel more cheap and bluntly inferior to the original, this trailer gives that impression. There’s nothing tense or exciting here, just a lot of falsely thrilling elements that aren’t even a little bit thrilling.

Oscar Prospects:

Surprising as it was, the original Flatliners earned a Best Sound Effects Editing nomination. The sequel will have a much bigger hill to climb and a nomination is incredibly unlikely.