Saturday 7 February 2015

Jupiter Ascending

 
It’s confession time random spam bots – I absolutely hate The Matrix.  I just don’t get it.  My complete lack of interest in the adventures of Neo means that I have absolutely no love for the Wachowski’s.  The trailer for Jupiter Ascending suggested the film would be nothing more than high budget blandness but it doesn’t feel like a proper Saturday if I am not in the cinema… so I went....and let the listings times decide my viewing.
PLOT:  During a routine identity theft/egg donating caper Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) is attacked by a group of aliens circa Men in Black and is saved by Caine (Channing Tatum) a genetically modified wolf-man with a dyed blond goatee and jet-powered gravity boots.  Jupiter discovers that she is the reincarnation of the previously murdered owner of earth and must protect the planet from her… erm….space children…who…erm….want to marry her…or erm... kill her for a second time....to get their inheritance…I think.  END PLOT
I consider myself to have, at the very least, basic levels of human intelligence but Jupiter Ascending has defeated me.  I am all for science fiction and jaunts to outer space but Jupiter Ascending is so bloated with space debris I will never be able to fully comprehend what I endured for two long hours.  The plot is such an incomprehensible mess I was crying out for some clunky exposition to tell me what in the actual fuck was happening.  
The only person who knew less about what was happening than me was Mila Kunis. The only difference was she got paid for the experience whereas I paid.  I almost feel sorry for Kunis that her big leading role was a complete dud although she did wear some ridiculous space dresses like a pro so at least that’s something.
It was kind of the Wachowski’s to have Channing Tatum topless for the vast majority of the film but it wasn’t the same without Tatum’s usual easy going charm.  Tatum wasn’t the worst thing in Jupiter Ascending as that accolade goes to Eddie Redmayne.  Redmayne whispered his way through the film like an old man dying from bronchitis in what will be one of the greatest unintentionally hilarious performances of the year.  The only people who will be praising Eddie Redmayne are his fellow Best Actor nominees.


Tatum gets marks for pulling off the "Jax Teller in drag" look
 

Despite having a big budget the action consisted of a chase scene through the suspiciously empty streets of Chicago and a space battle in which Jupiter spent most of her time running around in circles while being startled by small bursts of fire.  The lazy action was accompanied by a score that was so intrusive I think I may have wronged the entire brass section in another life.  There was nothing in Jupiter Ascending that flowed with any real cohesion. 
 
Jupiter Ascending is a bloated mess with no redeeming qualities.  It didn’t even have the good grace to fall into the “it’s so bad it’s good” category.  Jupiter Ascending gets 1/10.  The one represents my loyalty to Channing Tatum.

8 comments:

  1. Exactly as it seemed from the trailers. Sigh. I know it's terrible, but I think I'll Redbox it when it comes out on DVD cause...well, I'm a glutton for punishment I guess lol. Good review as always, yet don't let Channing Tatum always blind you to the truth about the film you're watching ;)

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    1. If you can catch it for free somewhere it might be worth a look otherwise it's money wasted!!

      You know me, too much journalistic integrity to let an attractive dude sway my opinion!

      K :-)

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  2. I think it's fairly close to it's so bad its enjoyable, Redmayne, my goodness it's just hilarious....

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    1. It just missed the "so bad its good" mark!! Eddie Redmayne was so funny! It's the kind of performance that will be studied by future generations!

      K :-)

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  3. The story is absurdly outlandish even though it feels incredibly familiar as well. Thankfully the Wachowski’s bring this usual visual flair to the proceedings making for some truly impressive action sequences that keep you entertained once you’ve decided to turn your brain off completely.

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    1. Totally agree with you about the story, it does manage to be overly complicated yet generically familiar as well.

      It's not like me to leave my brain on the cinema, normally I switch off at the door and go along for the ride but with Jupiter Ascending I couldn't. My loss!

      K :p)

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  4. Karina, you nailed it so fucking much. I hated it about as much as you! *high five* :)

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    1. Great minds think alike! *fist bump*

      K 😃

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