Review of Annihilation (2018) by Chris W — 20 May 2018

I've seen thought provoked movies before. Some that make you leave a theater thinking about said film for days; and some that you have to sit in the moment while the movie is playing and let your mind deal with the stuff you are seeing on the screen....This was one of those movies that had me leave the theaters thinking about this film in a way that was borderline weird but yet I enjoyed my time watching it.

'Annihilation' is a movie directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina) and its semi-loosely based of the novel trilogies of the Southern Reach AKA Area X. And while the only few differences are the names of the characters and maybe a few incidents throughout the movie that the book provides a sense of mystery (That's not saying the movie doesn't either) but that goes without the saying this movie for all its worth in slow burn, when it picks up it gets WEIRD and thought provoking...So it bothers me, when I heard in movie testing people walked out of this movie cause it was considered too smart! I mean really people!? are we in that age that as movie goers we become that stupid that we don't want to think in a movie anymore!?

The Story of Annihilation is simple enough....until it gets complex as the ladies reach their goal. A meteor landed in the a sector of the united states in which caused a strange bubble that is growing increasingly fast and causing a string of interesting mutations within the plant and animal life and even possibly in human; the military and/or scientists sent in their best to see if they can find out what's happening within the bubble of 'Area X' but much like anything in a movie like this no one returned until one day someone does return, who so happens to be the husband of the main protagonist Lena (Natalie Portman), who's a scientist in her own right with some skeletons in her closet. When the military try to get information from him the only answer he has is, "I don't know" (Drinking game: Drink on a number of times a person says, "I don't know" in this movie); But when he comes home the same answers come to Lena as well. And when he suffers from some unknown illness Lena is thrust into to same situation as her husband...and the goal is simple enough: She will join a team being she's a geneticist (Lena) lead by a psychiatrist Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh) into Area X and try to reach the center of the problem along with a military personnel Anya (Gina Rodriguez), A botanist Josie (Tessa Thompson...ummmmm, sorry love me some Tessa!), and Cass (Tuva Novotny) who I believe is another geneticist. As they proceed into the center, the more they go....the stranger and dangerous the evolution becomes almost to the point where all four ladies are being stalked by something downright creepy.

All five woman are strong in their own right but also damaged in a way; as the movie progresses you start to find out why in a degree. And as the movie also progresses, they start to see how beautiful the evolution is happening within Area X; but also they find out how deadly the situation is and the stakes on if this bubble expands the united states and they only have weeks so they are on a ticking clock.

I'm not going to lie to you, This movie starts as a slow burn. If you expect a movie that contains a lot of explosions and very little explanation or none at all then by all means Transformers by Michael Bay is your speed. If you want a movie that doesn't lead you by the hand while at the same time doesn't leave it ambiguous to keep you guessing then you might love this movie...and I have to admit I loved this movie; Its not perfect, far from it and there are moments where it almost put me to sleep cause it slows down a bit but this movie is indeed intense with some very creeped out moments especially when they confront the very creature that stalks them.

The Atmosphere and setting when they reach the bubble are very beautiful and there are some very gorgeous cinematography within this film and when the discussions come up regarding it its very interesting to listen to even though it might not explain as much it does serve up the goal as to why they need to stop whatever is causing this.

The Gripe comes in the form of cheaply done expositions. For example, they reach an area I guess a gym or school....and suddenly in order to propel the plot when things are slowing down suddenly a SD card pops up and by coincidence SOMEONE has a camera and this is one of a couple of times this happens which felt kinda forced but it didn't change how disturbing the events are within those exposition which were a WTF moment to me.

Another gripe is that some actors felt like they were sleeping thru the movie...I won't say who but you will know when you watch this. It just felt like some of the acting was a bit wooden; didn't feel any emotion from some of the actress when some things tend to happen I mean GEEZ you see a deer with flowers growing off the antlers...and NO EMOTION comes from any of them...I would think that's magnificent but nope not these scientist and military!!

By the time the 3rd act rolls it, it becomes down right crazy that I was wondering if I was smoking weed and I didn't realize it; and when the credits roll you are left wondering and still have questions as to what will happen next. It doesn't leave anything ambiguous but it does keep you wondering and asking as you leave the theater.

'Annihilation' Is a movie I will have in my collection; Yes, this movie is VERY slow building but its a very smart and fluent movie that gets you when you least expected. Some very scary moments and a very strange and creepy 3rd act left me just in a WTF moment...I enjoyed this movie and its not for everyone but it was for me.

4 Stars.

-Chris.