Directors: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Cast: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Certificate: 12
Special Features: Jupiter Jones: Destiny is within us / Jupiter Ascending: Genetically Spliced / The Wachowskis: Mind over Matter / Worlds within Worlds within Worlds / Bullet Time Evolved / From Earth to Jupiter
Remember when the Wachowski’s made good films? Remember the movie defining Matrix film? Hopeful that Jupiter Ascending is a return to the glory days? Sadly it isn’t, the film having more in common with the Matrix sequels. In Jupiter Ascending the Wachowski’s seem to have tried to craft a strange hybrid of Dune and Star Wars, but failing miserably to emulate either. The story is heavily cliched and, although imaginative, fails to be engaging or interesting due to underdeveloped plot points and poorly constructed drama. There are too many different elements which fail to tie into a cohesive narrative.
The biggest problem with the film is the casting choices, don’t get me wrong, this writer has nothing against any of the cast, but they just should have never agreed to star. Mila Kunis, though brilliant in supporting turns in Third Person and Black Swan, is clearly not ready to shoulder a film.
Tatum also struggles, his biggest challenge is to out-act his prosthetic make-up. His character Caine being completely one dimensional, with a watery backstory which acts as nothing more than a way to introduce Sean Bean’s Stinger (who for once will surprise you). The chemistry between Caine and Jupiter is non-existent with their love story coming completely out of left field, feeling very much like it has been shoe-horned in as an after thought to add an extra dimension to the plot. Unfortunately the romance is more detracting rather than compelling, leaving the audience cold.
The villain of the piece is Redmayne’s Balem, the oldest and only relevant member of three siblings. Jupiter is seduced by both Balem’s sister and brother, but neither character is required; the film would potentially be a shorter and more pleasant experience if they were to have been cut. Eddie Redmayne must have hoped that the release day of Jupiter Ascending is overlong, with far too many characters, most of which remain both under developed and open-ended. would never happen. He has found himself the latest awards darling, with accolades and nominations hitting him from all directions for his marvellous turn in The Theory of Everything. Lets hope that this won’t tarnish what looks to be a promising future. At least he’s got his Catwoman/Aeon Flux out of the way pre-Oscar.
In Redmayne’s employ there are both the aliens from Signs and the Goomba’s from Super Mario Bros, the former disappearing after the first third act the latter seemingly changing in size from scene to scene. There are several other strange alien beings – an obvious attempt at trying to replicate a Star Wars-esque universe – but rather than create characters that the audiences will love, they have instead populated the film with an unnecessary cast of Jar Jar Binks’.
Jupiter Ascending is overlong, with far too many characters, most of which remain both under developed and open-ended.
Jupiter Ascending is out now on Blu-ray and DVD.
