With names such as Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis and The Wachowskis attached, “Jupiter Ascending” must be amazing. Or is it? SIDEWALKS’ own J.P. has his take on the latest sci-fi adventure.
“JUPITER ASCENDING”
Warner Bros. Pictures
Opening Date: Friday, February 6, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for “some violence, sequences of sci-fi action, some suggestive content and partial nudity.”
Run Time: 127 minutes
Studio Synopsis:
Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis star in “Jupiter Ascending,” an original science fiction action adventure from filmmakers Lana and Andy Wachowski.
Jupiter Jones (Kunis) was born under a night sky, with signs predicting that she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning other people’s houses and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine (Tatum), a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along—her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.
From the streets of Chicago to far flung galaxies whirling through space, “Jupiter Ascending” is written and directed by the Wachowskis. Award-winning producer Grant Hill, with whom they have collaborated since “The Matrix” Trilogy, is producing, together with Lana Wachowski and Andy Wachowski. Roberto Malerba and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers.
Channing Tatum (“Magic Mike,” “Foxcatcher”) and Mila Kunis (“Oz the Great and Powerful”) lead a starring cast that includes Sean Bean (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy), Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”), Douglas Booth (“Noah”), Tuppence Middleton (“The Imitation Game”), Doona Bae (“Cloud Atlas”), James D’Arcy (“Hitchcock”) and Tim Pigott-Smith (“Alice in Wonderland”).
Behind the scenes, “Jupiter Ascending” reunites the Wachowskis with their longstanding collaborators, who most recently worked with them on “Cloud Atlas.” They include Oscar®-winning director of photography John Toll (“Braveheart,” “Legends of the Fall”); production designer Hugh Bateup; editor Alexander Berner; costume designer Kym Barrett; and hair and makeup designer Jeremy Woodhead. The music is composed by Oscar winner Michael Giacchino (“Up”).
“Jupiter Ascending” will showcase the kind of cutting-edge visual effects that have become the benchmarks of the Wachowskis’ films. Dan Glass (“Batman Begins,” “Cloud Atlas”) is the film’s visual effects supervisor, a post he has occupied for the Wachowskis since “The Matrix” Trilogy. Additionally, John Gaeta, the visual effects Oscar winner behind “The Matrix,” is contributing to the visual effects design.
Set for release February 6, 2015, “Jupiter Ascending” is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, in association with Anarchos Productions. It will be distributed by Warner Bros.
J.P.’s Take:
From a visual standpoint, “Jupiter Ascending” appears to be an epic intergalactic saga. It is chocked full of Uber futuristic spacecrafts and opulent architecture. Characters parade around in ultra modern, ornately adorned haute couture costumes. The CGI is top notch and teaming with complex light shows with warping wormholes. Not to mention the gadgetry that looks as though they came from a 25th century consumer electronics expo. Abound are fascinating looking aliens and droids. There is no shortage of elaborate, yet, somewhat absorbing action sequences either. These are just the good points.
Obviously, sibling filmmakers’ Lana and Andrew Wachowski have the knack for constructing awesome worlds. They excel at combining characters whom are saviors, with mind-bending scenarios. In addition, stunning visuals come into play, as a means of conveying their plot points. The best example of these elements can be found in “The Matrix” series. Sadly, there comes a time when even the most prolific visionaries become stagnant in their creative process. “Jupiter Ascending” is that unfortunate example.
Part of the blame for this film’s shortcomings is the six-month set back, allotted to polish off the complicated effects. Much of that time, I feel, could have been spent screening it with a test audience. Some of its faults stem from its befuddling outer space Cinderella story line. The plot is so convoluted that it drowns in its own mythology.
Warring Abrasax siblings Balem (Eddie Redmayne), Kalique (Tuppence Middleton) and Titus (Douglas Booth) battle over the family’s interplanetary inheritance, for which Earth is included. The story plays out like an excerpt from 80’s TV series “Dynasty,” where each of the Abrasax offspring tries to foil one another’s plans for harvesting Earth’s rich human resources. Why are they harvesting humans you may ask? Their explanation is that humans are genetically ripe and their essence supplies them with an anti-aging serum. Yeah, I know this sounds a bit disgusting. It reminds me of the movie “Soylent Green.” In any case, these wealthy celestial royals bathe in this serum to regenerate their bodies keeping them youthful for eons.
“Jupiter Ascending” provides another vehicle for the Wachowskis to insert their theories on “recurrence” into a tale of life everlasting. Again, a theme best suited for “The Matrix” trilogy. The reasoning behind the plot defies explanation, as I was hard pressed to make any sense of this preposterous tale. However, by the time I figured it all out, I was too distracted by eye candy to immerse myself in the whole shebang. What is crazy about “Jupiter Ascending” is that I was lead on an emotional roller coaster. At times, I felt optimistic about its outcome, then I was dropped into a pit of disappointment at the bland execution.
The lack a character refinement didn’t help much either. Try as she might Mila Kunis just couldn’t squeeze enough emotion out of her role of Jupiter Jones. I don’t place the blame squarely on her shoulder, however. There wasn’t much proverbial meat on the bones for her to pick at. Her performance felt more knee jerk reaction, than enlightened royal subject. Much of the time, she fell victim to the damsel in distress role. Still, even in her most harrowing ordeals, she manages to etch out the heroine in her. If there were any indication to her majestic roots, it would be through scenes where bees succumb to her command.
Yet. never fear her gravity surfing Lycantant hero and love interest, Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), was there to save her. Although I’m not totally clear as to what he’s protecting her from; to some degree he at least shows some change in emotion. He even sheds a tear or two. The remainder for cast is rounded out by Gugu-Mbatha-Raw (as Famulus), Nikki Amuka-Bird (Diomika Tsing) and Sean Bean (Stinger Apini), whom all do their best to keep the kinetic energy flowing. Although stealing the show would be Redmayne’s Balem portrayal.
Comedy may not be the Wachowskis strong suit either. Many of the supposedly funny bits went flat like warm soda, receiving halfhearted giggles from the audience. I wasn’t buying the romance sparked between Caine and Jupiter either. The whole set up felt labored and ingenuine.
All in all, “Jupiter Ascending” is a weird amalgamation of genres … without a clear identity. I felt like the Wachowskis could have drawn back some of the wild plot courses and stuck to simpler ones. With all the blazing action sequences and ethereal effects, there just wasn’t enough happening within the story to save it. I felt I was dropped in the middle of some ongoing series, and all I had to go by were cliff notes. I hope that if a sequel is in the works that they find a way to balance out the quirks. Close, but no cigar for the Wachowskis on this one.