Review of After Earth (2013) by Katharine B — 27 Apr 2014

I watched it just so I could write a horrid review, but I can't. There is nothing actually wrong with this film. Now don't misunderstand; there is nothing original or innovative about this movie, but it's thoroughly watchable and even enjoyable.

As an aside, I think a lot of people found it a little too obvious how Jaden Smith got this part and were a little too eager to scrutinize his performance and cry "Bad acting!" I have painful news: That's just Hollywood, and that's more or less how everyone gets in. But it works for Hollywood because (gasp) acting isn't that difficult and 90% of people are capable of it. Jaden Smith is no exception. (And Will Smith's character was supposed to be stoic; that was kind of the point of the movie.) Now I have seen a LOT of child actors (particularly young boys) just not get into it and give horrible wooden performances. I didn't see that here. I have this weird belief that every story is worth something and that the colossal stink bombs result from a movie trying to be far more than it is or from storytellers who don't know how to follow the rules trying to break them just so they can be regarded as exceptional (looking at you M. Night). This movie follows the rules, and it's formulaic, but actually decent. Nothing special, but good sci-fi that left me wanting to know more about the universe. Yes the pace was a little subdued but I actually liked it. But hey, if every movie was exceptional, then none of them would be.