AWAKE is one of those Hollywood thrillers with a neat idea behind it that's quickly destroyed by ridiculous and fanciful writing and indifferent acting. Hayden Christensen, the ill-starred actor from the STAR WARS prequels, plays a guy with a heart issue who goes under the knife only to discover that he stays fully aware during general anaesthesia. Fair enough, but the pseudo-conspiracy plotline that he uncovers is embarrassingly slight; COMA this isn't! Jessica Alba shows up in another gratingly wooden role, and the rest of the cast aren't much better. Things get worse and worse as the running time progresses, with the twee 'afterlife' scenes are undoubtedly the film's nadir.

I read many bad reviews for that movie, but I for once did really like it. And it's not because of Jessica Alba or the fact that one could be excused thinking his(her?) wet dream comes true after a few minutes into the film. I like the movie for what it is. A nice little thriller with enough tension to keep you occupied for the running time of the movie.

Of course I hadn't read anything about the movie, so I was oblivious to the goal/direction it would take, which was a good thing. Let's just say, that many things can be spoiled, if you read too much about it, so you won't really enjoy seeing those things on screen, because you knew they were coming ... The cast is stellar, playing their roles straight enough to convince. This wasn't meant to be Shakespeare. But it delivers on it's premise/promise! Good entertainment!

Thanks to what was the craziness of how hot hot hot Jessica Alba was this past year, a lot of people, including me, really didn't wanna see a movie with her. Yes, she's beautiful, but can she act? The eternal question where I finally saw something, Awake, she actually did a decent job. I rented Awake the other day and watched it, this was actually a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I have to say, this was a first, I really did not see that conclusion coming. It was awesome to see a movie that had a clever script, was it realistic? I wouldn't necessarily agree, the movie and story does have it's flaws here and there, but if you let them slide, it's a fun little thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Clay has everything: money, a loving mom, a company of his own, a world in his hands, and a beautiful woman, Sam. But unfortunately, his heart isn't so lucky, so much so that he needs a transplant, and his trusted friend Jack Harper is going to do the transfer for him. But his mom is begging him to re-consider and have another surgeon do the operation, but Clay says she just has to trust his instincts, which may be the biggest mistake he can make.

Awake is a pretty cool movie, the actors, some things are over done, but it's a thriller, it's supposed to keep you scared and tense, so I am willing to over look the non-existence of reality, I think this movie meant to be that way. I also just hate to say it, Jessica Alba is decent in the movie and covers herself well in her role as Sam. But the top performance of the film was without a doubt from Howard, he was so convincing and almost made you feel bad for him, well, I don't want to give too much away, you'll just have to see what I mean. But I do recommend Awake, it's a good movie, I'm impressed.

7/10