Mercy

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, Mercy follows a futuristic cop (Chris Pratt’s Chris) as he’s given just 90 minutes to prove to an AI judge (Rebecca Ferguson’s Maddox) that he didn’t kill his wife (Annabelle Wallis’ Nicole). It’s a compelling premise that is, at the outset, employed to less-than-captivating effect by Bekmambetov, as the filmmaker, armed with Marco van Belle, delivers a somewhat static screen-life thriller that contains little in the way of forward momentum – with the lackluster vibe initially offset by Pratt’s predictably commanding turn and a small smattering of engaging sequences and digressions. There’s little doubt, then, that Mercy improves substantially once Chris begins investigating the aforementioned murder, with the ticking-clock bent of the picture’s second half lending the proceedings an agreeably propulsive feel that’s fairly difficult to resist (ie a lot of this stuff is just fun, ultimately). And although the movie’s closing stretch boasts perhaps a little too much action, Mercy has already cemented its place as a decent-enough endeavor that never quite wears out its welcome.

**1/2 out of ****