Inspired by an incredible true story, the CBS Films docudrama portrays one father’s desperate quest to save his children from succumbing to a rare life-threatening genetic disorder. Working-class father John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) is finally on the fast track to corporate success when his two young children, Megan and Patrick, are diagnosed with Pompe disease — a condition that prevents the body from breaking down sugar. In time, it disables the heart and the muscles, ultimately resulting in death. With the support of his wife, Aileen (Keri Russell), John ditches his career and teams with unconventional specialist Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford) to found a bio-tech company and develop a cure in time to save Megan and Patrick’s lives. As Dr. Stonehill works tirelessly to prove the theories that made him the black sheep of the medical community, a powerful bond is forged between the two unlikely allies. Still, their greatest struggle is yet to come.

Extraordinary Measures is a decent movie. It’s not amazing, but it’s not terrible either. I saw this movie on Tuesday – along with hundreds of other Oregonians at a screening in Portland. It’s a beautiful story, and I’m glad I saw the movie, it was just sloooow at times. There were endless scenes of paperwork and meetings, and at times I felt like I was in the meetings with the characters. I think they should have toned down the legal side of John Crowley’s fight – and dealt more with the effects of the disease in his own home. The work/meetings/legal/doctor/science scenes were plentiful – and they weren’t terribly exciting. Made the movie move at a slower pace than necessary.

Harrison Ford is a great actor, but the yelling was a bit much. He reminded me a lot of Al Pacino – they sounded exactly the same.

What was surprising to me, was how well Brendan Fraser carried the movie! I wouldn’t have thought he could pull it off, but he did – wonderfully! He was very believable as the desperate father of two sick children. I thought Keri Russell did great also – but I didn’t feel any chemistry between her and Brendan. They seemed like an odd couple.

The story is moving, and the movie is good… it’s just not great. I think this movie will do really well with die-hard Harrison Ford fans. It’s also a good weekend for this movie to open, considering it’s opening against Legion – which would draw a completely different crowd.

BOTTOM LINE: The acting was decent, the story was predictable, I would give the movie a C.