The newest film from the Wachowskis: “JUPITER ASCENDING (2015)” has had its problems. It was delayed for months mere weeks before its original 2014 release citing visual effects needing an over hall due to bad test screenings (I’m hearing now that this is a false rumor, but I don’t know for sure). The trailers have been, let’s be honest, less than stellar. And let’s be really honest here, the Wachowskis’ haven’t made a truly amazing film since “THE MATRIX (1999)”!
Don’t get me wrong I enjoy the Matrix Sequels (“RELOADED (2003)” & “REVOLUTIONS (2003)”) and their adaptation of “SPEED RACER (2008)” was a fun watch. Their produced adaptation of “V FOR VENDETTA (2005)” is one of my favorite comic book films! But as far as game-changing cinema goes, the first Matrix was their last real calling card.
This brings us to Jupiter Ascending. This film isn’t game changing. It’s nothing new, story wise, effects wise or even genre wise. The acting ranges from hammy (the villain in particular) to stoically wooden (Sean Bean’s character). In fact it’s about as standard issue sci-fi as you can get! And that’s why it works so well.
These days there’s a big debate raging amongst film people over the originality of content. How Hollywood doesn’t like to make new things, just reboot, remake and recycle. And how it’s not fair to audiences who are forced to sit through rehash, yet the same people blame the audience for showing profit towards said rehash, thus perpetuating the reboot, remake, recycle culture!
Two filmmakers I’ve seen in multiple interviews railing against the recycling style of film is the Wachowskis! More so Lana, but they come as a package deal it seems. This is what’s so strange to me, because at the end of the day a recycle of previous ideas is EXACTLY what Jupiter Ascending is!
The film does not hide its inspirations. It’s Space Cinderella, with a little Flash Gordon mixed in for good measure! Scenes are straight up every previous sci-fi trope you can fathom, and the stuff that isn’t is basic film trickery. The thing is though, despite being a reorganization of every idea every before it: I loved it!
Is it the smartest sci-fi film? Not at all. Does it have something to say? Not that I saw. And in truth that’s refreshing to see in a sci-fi flick for me.
Sci-Fi films breakdown into two categories: Epics and PewPews!
Epics are the ones set in sci-fi environments, or with sci-fi tech that propels a story that’s usually disguised commentary from whatever the writers/director wants to say. Has a bad habit of being preachy in its message (which is a flaw of craft), but at its core has a message to tell.
PewPews (like the sound lasers make) on the other hand use the sci-fi environment or sci-fi tech as means for pure visual style and actions. For the most part is pure surface story value with candy coated images with only one thing to say: “Thank you for your money, here’s your 90 to 120 minutes of entertainment!”
I’ve learned unfortunately that while both types are valid forms and I love them equally; most people tend to poop on PewPews. The thinking is that if it doesn’t have something to say, it isn’t really art, and I’m sorry but that thinking is ludicrous if we are talking about the commercial industry that in filmmaking! Sometimes movies don’t have to say anything.
This argument also doesn’t hold water when we consider the success “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014)”! That was $170,000,000 worth of PewPew!
I think a lot of the complaining against Jupiter Ascending in relation to Epics vs. PewPews is the Wachowskis are responsible for the genre redefining Epic: The Matrix and they talk the Epic talk, but no one can accept they made a PewPew as a change of pace. You can do both people!
That being said, while I think Jupiter Ascending is an enjoyable PewPew, but there are way better PewPews out there. Again I reference you to Guardians Of The Galaxy.
Short-Story-Long:
Jupiter Ascending is not a perfect film. But I don’t believe it was meant to be one. I take the movie as two Epic Director’s experiment in the land of PewPews! If you’re like me and like PewPews from time to time, set the right frame of mind and give this one a chance. It could be a lot worse!
~_M.H._~
Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22
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