Review of The 5th Wave (2016) by Thequietgamer — 26 Feb 2017

I really enjoyed the setting in this movie. It's kind of got a post-apocalyptic feel as our heroine is left to scavenge supplies on her own in a new world where she can't trust anybody and is without the everyday comforts she once took for granted. It's something that sets the movie apart from the average YA novel flick. There are quite a few issues though, so there's more than a bit of wasted potential.

The most notable thing is how this feels like a budget attempt at the Hunger Games. Special effects are really dated and a few of the actors are B-level at best. Mix in a few YA movie tropes and you've got a movie that happens to stumble over it's own feet here and there. The biggest issue is just the plot. Things are fine when you're watching Moretz try to survive, but they take a turn for the ridiculous when you follow the other characters. It's too absurd to believe that the military is training high-school aged kids and younger to be elite soldiers while all the adults apparently just sit around and do nothing. A twist near the end makes this all a little easier to swallow, but doesn't change the fact that it's nonsensical to the point of stupidity.

I did find the movie to have it's enjoyable elements though. The characters are likable, Moretz is a great lead, and I dug the end of the world vibes I was getting from it. It's a little more unique than just another Hunger Games wannabe. There's also some solid action.

The movie could definitely be a lot better. You're going to have to put of with some cheesiness, preposterous plot points, and Maika Monroe's irritating performance and ear-bleed inducing dialog, but there are worse movies out there. If you enjoyed other Hunger Games-esque movies like Maze Runner then this should still prove worth a watch. Most likely though as just a rental.