
Movie Review: Jupiter Ascending
Arts & Entertainment March 5, 2015By Fred Arnold
The fade in: A monologue. The life and times of one Jupiter Jones: her secrets, her fears, her worries. On and on about what is wrong with the world, how the world is never changing. It all seemed… cliché. How many movies have done and redone the monologue beginning?
But not all is lost; the movie was directed by the makers of the Matrix, after all. There was no shortage of action, adventure, graphics, chase scenes, bombings, and explosions. The meat of the movie, a well done menagerie of graphic brilliance, displayed what the audience wanted to see from an action film. The fluidity of story and the likeness of the characters all came together despite those obvious clichés. In addition, the movie answered peoples’ curiosity about space travel, ships, and decorative “not Earths.”
The fluidity of the movie made the worse seem better, but that did not stop an obvious stereotype from leaking in. The audience demands love stories. In the midst of action, adventure, and rock ‘n roll, one does not want to be bothered over someone’s love life. Especially the star crossed lover story that has been shoved down everyone’s throat since they were five. A love story does not make an action movie, but a good action movie can create a love story. Here, the love story felt forced thanks to awkward scenes with a shirtless Channing Tatum, weird pauses, and odd staring contests. For such an action packed movie, the love scenes do not add substance.
Do not go see Jupiter Ascending if you expect a movie that explores new avenues. Though it does not reinvent the genre, it does well for a cookie cutter action flick, but you will be left unsatisfied and maybe a little disgusted over the sad attempt at a love story.
Images and trailer are property of Warner Bros.
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