Review of Life (2017) by Kaptenvideo — 08 Apr 2017

A space crew discovers life on Mars! But it's never too late to copy the seminal sci-fi classic "Alien" (1979), so it decides to kill everybody on the International Space Station, and do it fast. I hope they will not let it reach Earth, because that would spell doom for all of us! Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds, Hiroyuki Sanada. They do a fine work with all the usual genre staples – pretending to be awed by new life form, then scared, brave, desperate etc. – but it's not really an actors' movie. You will only probably remember Reynolds because his character's fate is the most surprising.

If you like the kind of movies where humankind meets extraterrestrial life that turns out to be fast and efficient killer(s), then you will mostly enjoy "Life". If you find the original "Alien" blueprint shamelessly overused during the last 40-some years, then you will... also mostly enjoy this. It's fast and brutal enough to satisfy those hungry for some blood and guts, and slick-looking Good luck searching for this movie online, though. The word "life" is a popular part of many movie titles, including some which are also just called "Life". Like this Eddie Murphy's and Martin Lawrence's 1999's comedy which is way more original but way less entertaining than this new actioneer.

"Life" has been released two months earlier than initially planned, to avoid competition with "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales". A wise choice! Or maybe it would have turned out to be an excellent counterprogramming for those who would rather be killed by extraterrestrial than watch another Johnny Depp big summer movie?

Directed by Daniel Espinosa whom you probably don't remember by competent actioneer "Safe House" (2012) and mediocre thriller "Child 44" (2015).