Ryan Reynolds plays a time traveling wise cracker in Shawn Levy’s science fiction adventure.

[{"selector":"#anim-8c07bdd6-00d1-4294-8312-a009f7fcd9a9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Early in “The Adam Project,” a pipsqueak asthmatic named Adam (Walker Scobell) and his golden retriever gallivant through the woods among shimmering falling debris.

[{"selector":"#anim-925f7c11-ac01-462d-8cc4-12258b7ace32 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(46.463694595758795%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Their adventure begins when the adult Adam, visiting 2022 from 2050,

explains to his kid accomplice that time travel has ruined mankind, and impeding its invention is their only hope.

[{"selector":"#anim-2db1548f-b68d-4e98-bbda-27d25c32307e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-45.59926446093672%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Blissfully under two hours, “The Adam Project” is no modern classic.

[{"selector":"#anim-c9ba64e9-38ca-4541-a93a-4355621d495f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-6.1843802329371975%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

But it does benefit from an affecting finale that pays special attention to Adam’s strained relationship with his father.

[{"selector":"#anim-af256472-d861-4611-934a-0c805ce45f2d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-62.49999977245145%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Reynolds may play the smart aleck, but beneath Adam’s zingers he is compensating for a profound pain,

[{"selector":"#anim-fc6dd0bd-b695-4563-8c1b-75108f9fe3c1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]