Film Review - Jupiter Ascending

Universal Problems

Film: Jupiter Ascending

Cast: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne

Directed by: The Wachowskis

Duration: 2 hrs 5 mins

Rating: * * 1 / 2

Considering that Jupiter Ascending is based on an original screenplay and not a book, there is a lot crammed into it in a little over two hours. A bit too much actually. As a science fantasy, it is quite ambitious and hits bulls eye when it comes to the visuals and special effects but all those other elements in the story about the universe is a bit of a yawn.

Directed by The Wachowski’s (Andy and Lana) whose previous Cloud Atlas was a commendable effort but bombed at the box office, Jupiter Ascending has two popular stars of the current generation.  Mila Kunis plays Jupiter who is living a very routine life on earth till the aliens strike. They are no ordinary aliens but they belong to a family of Royal aliens. Wise (Channing Tatum) a genetically modified ex-military hunter rescues her and the action shifts to another part of the universe after they are attacked along with their sympathizer Stinger (Sean Bean).

Apparently the earth has been seeded and harvested by aliens so that make a serum that will keep them young and make them live forever. The villain of the piece Balem (Eddie Redmayne from Theory of Everything), he is in this serum business with ambitious plans.

There are many characters in the film but hardly any of them are developed. Except for Jupiter, who we are told has an ordinary life, none of the outer space characters have much of a background.  There is also a lot of talk about different planets and the creatures that live there and most of it is not particularly interesting.

A scene that stands out is Jupiter’s endeavor to prove that she is royalty- she has to run from pillar to post getting her ‘documents’ and even in outer bureaucracy doesn’t work till you pay a bribe. Terry Gilliam plays a cameo in the scene in what is a tribute to his masterpiece Brazil (1985).

Some of the action scenes are above average and the 3D effects are not as jarring as they usually are. On the whole this is not the kind of film that fans of the Wachowski’s might be expecting but it is okay for a one time watch. 

Published in The Navhind Times, Goa on 8th February 2015

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Film Review - Foxcatcher

A Taut Drama

Film: Foxcatcher

Cast: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo

Directed by: Bennett Miller

Duration: 2 hrs 5 mins

Rating: * * * 1 / 2

Based on the true story of Olympic gold medalist Mark Schultz, Foxcatcher has a slightly different arc as a story. Schultz was a wrestler along with his brother David but this is not a sports film like director Bennett Miller’s previous film Moneyball, instead this is more of a psychological and personal tale, more like Capote.

Miller has taken a no frills approach to the story, there isn’t a great deal of dramatism barring a couple of key moments and it works in the director’s favor. As it develops, you are not quite sure which way it is heading as there are two central characters to this story. First is Mark (Channing Tatum) a talented wrestler who is training under the wings of his coach brother David (Mark Ruffalo). His life takes a turn when John Du Pont (Steve Carell), a millionaire with excellent training facilities at his farm called the Foxcatcher approaches him and makes an offer he can’t refuse.

Du Pont is also a curious character, he has mommy issues, he wants to make a name as a wrestling coach but his mother (Vanessa Redgrave) detests the sport and he never really manages to come out of her shadow.

The film relies more on these characters rather the incidents that drive their life and there in lies the success of the screenplay, the latter would have been an easier route to take. The sport also acts more of a supplement and never overpowers the main proceedings. Ultimately, this is a story of human frailty.

There are three remarkable performances which elevate the film, starting with Mark Ruffalo who plays a rather unusual character. After doing mostly mainstream films, Channing Tatum shows there is more to him than just his good looks. Steve Carell conveys all the right expressions in good measure, as John du Pont he adds another dimension to his character. 

Published in The Navhind Times on 1st February 2015

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Film Review - 22 Jump Street

Bad Boys

Film: 22 Jump Street

Cast: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube

Directed by: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Duration: 1 hr 52 mins

Rating: *  *  *

After a fun outing in 21 Jump Street, the duo of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill return as undercover cops in this sequel which is as entertaining as the previous one, if not more. Yes the gags are pretty much the standard ones yet Tatum and Hill manage to pull it because of their camaraderie. 

You don’t need a magnifying glass to figure out that the story of 22 is much the same of 21. The directors Phil Lord, Christopher Miller also make a point about Hollywood and sequels in the innovative end credits.

Much like what they did last time around, Schmidt (Tatum) and Jenko (Hill) are sent to a college as undercover agents, there is a deadly drug doing the rounds on the premises and their job is to bust the gang. 

The usual red herrings and a bit of action, it’s all there in place but rather than the story, it is chemistry between the actors and the light weight nature of the episodes what keeps the film going. It doesn’t take itself too seriously hence you can go with the flow but don’t expect anything radical here.

Can’t be sure of it but many of the scenes look like they were improvised and it works in favor of the film.  Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are the stars, whether it their ‘breakup’ scene or the dead pan comic ones; they carry the film with élan.

A word about the censors- the film has an Adult certificate and yet there are so many swear words and parts of a sentence that are muted which makes you wonder why on earth they are trying to play big daddy. 

As for the film, if you are looking for entertainment then 22 Jump Street provides a decent dose of it.  

Published in The Navhind Times on 3rd Aug 2014 

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