No, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is indeed Mick Jagger in the picture above, starring as the villain in the futuristic sci-fi thriller “Freejack,” and he might just be the most compelling reason to give the film a chance, despite its 25% critical score. After all, how often do you get the opportunity to see Jagger go full-on baddie? Emilio Estevez stars as a 1980s race car driver who, right before his death on the course, is pulled forward in time to the then-distant year of 2009. There, criminals known as “bonejackers” kidnap individuals from the past so that old rich people in 2009 can get fresh bodies to cart their rich old brains around in.
“Freejack” is adapted from the 1959 novel “Immortality, Inc,” and it was not well-received, which is a shame, considering the cast it had on its side. Not only are Jagger and Estevez doing their thing, but you’ve also got the Oscar-winning Sir Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Amanda Plummer, Esai Morales — the list goes on and on.
Louis Black of the Austin Chronicle praised the performances but felt that the execution of the futuristic landscape fell short, saying, “You don’t imagine the creators of this film ever sat down and really thought about what 18 years in the future would be like [and] you never emotionally buy into the story or its world.” Still, the premise is fascinating, and it’s worth checking out for Mick Jagger’s surprisingly competent villainous turn alone.