Review of Jupiter Ascending (2015) by Rob M — 12 Nov 2015

With the endless string of reviews going down on "jupiter ascending" as one of the worst films by the wachowski siblings, guess it's rather pointless for me to add another. so let me list my best & worst of the gargantuan sci-fi which may extend the directing duo's cinema slump since "V for vendetta" and the final "matrix" installments.

THE BEST.

The film is lavish in visual effects & certainly a visual charm with several delectable scenes. the wachowskis decided to anchor their effects more so on practical stunts instead of the usual easy way out with CGI. leading man channing tatum shares that there were minimal use of digital doubles and most stunts were done by stuntsmen or himself.

THE WORST.

While it is easy on the eyes, don't expect much from the dialogues. the ambition was on a large scale, with gigantic philosophies & mass-appeal sci-fi, however plagued with dry & dense scripts.

Caine wise (tatum): "your majesty, I have more in common with a dog than I have with you".

Jupiter Jones (kunis): "i love dogs, i've always loved dogs".

I rest my case.

THE BEST.

With costume designer kym barrett we can expect nothing lesser than what we've seen in her previous works including wachowskis' "matrix" series, "eragon", "three kings" & "cloud atlas". barrett has also designed costumes for the visually delicious "cirque du soleil".

THE WORST.

Mila kunis & channing tatum's chemistry is as bland as barney's facial expressions. what makes it worse is that one of the underlying themes for this film is the romance brewing between these two actors with zero sparks. the lacking commitment in both their acting is no help at all, as you may occasionally think u're watching the street-suave tatum in "step up" & the hard-headed kunis in that 70's show. seriously unconvincing. while eddie redmayne's 'big' acting may be unfairly taunted as "norbiting" his chances away from the otherwise hopeful triumph at the upcoming oscars like the case of eddie murphy 7 years ago, at least he is putting in much more effort & commitment in his character.