The Wachowskis don’t seem to want to make “safe” movies. The want to think big, bring different concepts and spectacle to the screen. That sometimes leads to movies which are widely loved like The Matrix (where reality wasn’t what it seemed to be), but also movies which divide audiences, like Cloud Atlas (a story told across centuries).
With Jupiter Ascending they show that daring attitude again. By taking a story which would also work as a costume drama, spectacular action as you’d expect from them, costumes which wouldn’t look bad in a Tarsem Singh movie and a sauce of science fiction, they have created a movie which is meant to be seen on the big screen.
Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) is Russian and working illegally in the U.S. She unexpectedly comes into contact with a half man/half wolf named Caine Wise (Channing Tatum). She finds out that she has an important role on a universal scale. A family where sibling rivalry has become an art form all want her and slowly she finds out what the reason for this is.
With impressive (CGI) sets, who might remind you of Rome in space, filled with color and beauty it is a good-looking film. Space in this film isn’t a place of minimal, industrial design, but of extravagance.
Jupiter is taken into this world by Caine. With his anti gravity boots (Back to the Future, you can keep your hoverboard, I want these) he can skate in midair and the Wachowskis show how good they are in framing action. During a huge fight set against the skyline of Chicago they show their muscle. The movie is filled with these type of moments, resulting in not only a dramatic film, but also an action movie. Not all concepts the movie brings forward work (the story about the bees for example or the “McGuffin” of the movie), but if you can look past that Jupiter Ascending offers exactly what you’d expect from these directors: More than two hours of spectacle. And I’m not complaining about that.
Sounds crazy. I saw a trailer the other week and it looked spectacular but I’m still not quite sold on it, even despite your high mark. And I loved Cloud Atlas!
I didn’t like Cloud Atlas, but just like in that movie they do some impressive world building…
I know this is getting ripped apart, but it does look like a lot of fun.
Glad you liked it.
Yeah, I hadn’t read any reviews of this one, so was surprised about all the negativity!
This movie looks so strange. I’m not sure what to think of it yet.
You might still have that feeling afterwards 😉
I am not a Wachowski and I have had a hard time digesting the trailers for this. I still may give it a shot though.
Interested to see what you make of it then…
I liked Cloud Atlas and Speed Racer for all of its craziness. I like what you said that they don’t make safe movies. Films shouldn’t be safe at all.
Exactly. They might sometimes fail, but it will be a very original film!
Sounds good! I liked the looks of Cloud Atlas, so this must be good!
Well, I know I’m in the minority on liking it, but hope you do as well!
My boyfriend is dragging me to this on Monday and I am not excited.
Good luck!
Already posted my review. It was not a fun experience, haha!
It’s good to see someone being positive about this one, Nostra. I loved Cloud Atlas despite the harsh criticism it took from some. I’m hoping for more of the same here.
Hoping you’ll have the same experience here!