Jupiter Ascending
Dir: Andy and Lana Wachowski
Starring: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean,
Douglas Booth, and Tuppence Middleton
PG-13
127 Minutes
The best way to describe the Wachowski’s newest science
fiction film is to relate to it to a buffet. And just like a buffet, filled
with good-looking fare, you’ll get a little of this and little of that. Put it
all on the plate and some of the entrée will be exceptional while other
selections will be terrible and others will be spoiled simply because of the
mixture of everything on the plate. “Jupiter Ascending” looks great from the
outside, with some incredibly accomplished special effects making for
adrenaline pumping moments, however with so many ideas floating aimlessly in
and out of scenes and a narrative that operates without much cause for
coherency, the result is a film of squandered potential.
A young caretaker named Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) dreams of
a life with more than just her unruly family and dirty toilet bowls. She wakes
up each morning, coaxed repeatedly out of bed into the same routine day after
day. However, Jupiter’s life is far from normal. Her place in the universe is
one of royalty, an heir from a family that controls with the power of planets.
The ruthless son (Eddie Redmayne) of this powerful family targets Jupiter for
his own domineering plans. However, Jupiter is saved from assassins by a hunter
named Caine (Channing Tatum), a genetically engineered warrior who takes
Jupiter to a far away planet and protects her from the numerous forces looking
to take advantage.
The filmmaking flair that the Wachowski’s are known for is
in full display here. The special effects are impressive, from the
painstakingly complex chase at the beginning of the film that weaves and dodges
through the skyline of Chicago, to the dazzlingly choreographed fight scene
between a gravity defying, speed skating-like Channing Tatum and a giant
reptile with wings. The cities are exquisitely rendered, one in the midst of an
enormous hurricane of fire and chaos while another is within the overpopulated
confinements of a bureaucratic big city. It’s all very interesting to look at. Unfortunately
all these great sights exist within a narrative that is confusingly overblown
with seemingly every idea the Wachowski’s have ever wanted to incorporate
within a film. The worst part is that there are actually some very interesting thoughts
proposed. Some that if is expanded on more thoroughly could offer an
exceptional film. The film moves quickly from one thought to the next, never
giving appropriate time or proper explanation to the proposed concepts.
Instead, this swift moving surface examination makes the film feel detached
from scene to scene. There is also an obvious predictability, one that the
Wachowski’s fall victim to often, seen throughout the film. The viewer can
telegraph when the romantic connection will happen, when the hero will swoop in
to save the day, and when the villain will gain the first upper hand of the
film, it becomes exceedingly formulaic as the film proceeds.
It’s easy to get swept up into the visual enjoyment of
“Jupiter Ascending”, though it’s unfortunate that the narrative doesn’t match
the beauty of the design. Even with the help of some accomplished actors the
script is lacking material for them to build upon, Channing Tatum is left to
float around being chased by spaceships and bounty hunters while Eddie Redmayne
is relinquished to whispering threateningly. While “Jupiter Ascending”
struggles from the very beginning, there are enough thought-provoking concepts
proposed here to indicate that these filmmakers still have places to explore.
Monte’s Rating
2.25 out of 5.00
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