Just like Jupiter Ascending ain't no Matrix. How could the Wachowski's have written this?
The first thing that sprung to mind after stepping out of Jupiter Ascending was well that went 'full geek.' Although it's always refreshing to watch an original sci-fi creation that hasn't been rehashed in several thousand increasingly less inspiring versions it was a wholly disappointing effort by the Wachowski's. Now I realise that the Matrix was 16 years ago. But the difference in character depth and overall storyline is so clear it's almost painful for any Matrix fan to sit through. I mean scratch the Matrix fan bit. It was just painful to sit through. (The only redeeming factor was the general spectacular spectacle of the costumes and CGI sets.)
It is obvious within Jupiter Ascending that crucial plot points were cut out for time purposes resulting in the layers of story, depth of characters and general 'sense' of the plot becoming so convoluted as to descend into pure geek fantasy. And not in a good way. Particularly the bizarre love scenes between Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis who have as much chemistry as two dead weasels thrown into a sack together.. on a good day.
I love Channing Tatum as much as the next girl. And his portrayal at Caine at least hinted at some kind of multidimensional character. But really Jupiter? She made not a single empowered choice throughout the entire movie and appeared to necessitate rescuing by another man roughly every ten minutes throughout the film. Whether it was Caine rescuing her from another bad guy or a robotic man leading her through layers of bureaucracy to claim her title. Generally it felt like a really quick who's who of ridiculous, overly-exaggerated cosmic bad guys outsmarting the unfortunate and completely passive, but dolled-up, bimbo.
And why oh why is everyone apparently fine with the fact that every other planet in the Universe is being 'harvested' and people being liquified (into life extending elixir... haha)? I mean come on Jupiter. Well you can just forget any hope of a strong female lead. Instead Jupiter goes back to her life which appears to mainly involve cleaning toilets despite this, some would consider life-altering, knowledge. And she's pretty content.. After all she got the man (slash rabid wolf) so I mean what else does a girl need? Forget the fact that we've just spent the last two hours learning that she is now Queen of the Universe and actually owns Earth. She just wants to clean toilets, date her man, forget about the liquifying of the residents of other planets and have a quiet life.
I'm not trying to embark upon a feminist rant but.. Well she's no Trinity. Who is a hacker if you remember. And fights like a badass. She don't need no man.
I feel like if Trinity had been Jupiter, and generally less make up had been used - how unpractical is it really to cake yourself to that extent while cleaning houses - and there had been some sort of thought put into character development - this whole movie could have had an entirely different reception.
The first thing that sprung to mind after stepping out of Jupiter Ascending was well that went 'full geek.' Although it's always refreshing to watch an original sci-fi creation that hasn't been rehashed in several thousand increasingly less inspiring versions it was a wholly disappointing effort by the Wachowski's. Now I realise that the Matrix was 16 years ago. But the difference in character depth and overall storyline is so clear it's almost painful for any Matrix fan to sit through. I mean scratch the Matrix fan bit. It was just painful to sit through. (The only redeeming factor was the general spectacular spectacle of the costumes and CGI sets.)
It is obvious within Jupiter Ascending that crucial plot points were cut out for time purposes resulting in the layers of story, depth of characters and general 'sense' of the plot becoming so convoluted as to descend into pure geek fantasy. And not in a good way. Particularly the bizarre love scenes between Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis who have as much chemistry as two dead weasels thrown into a sack together.. on a good day.
I love Channing Tatum as much as the next girl. And his portrayal at Caine at least hinted at some kind of multidimensional character. But really Jupiter? She made not a single empowered choice throughout the entire movie and appeared to necessitate rescuing by another man roughly every ten minutes throughout the film. Whether it was Caine rescuing her from another bad guy or a robotic man leading her through layers of bureaucracy to claim her title. Generally it felt like a really quick who's who of ridiculous, overly-exaggerated cosmic bad guys outsmarting the unfortunate and completely passive, but dolled-up, bimbo.
And why oh why is everyone apparently fine with the fact that every other planet in the Universe is being 'harvested' and people being liquified (into life extending elixir... haha)? I mean come on Jupiter. Well you can just forget any hope of a strong female lead. Instead Jupiter goes back to her life which appears to mainly involve cleaning toilets despite this, some would consider life-altering, knowledge. And she's pretty content.. After all she got the man (slash rabid wolf) so I mean what else does a girl need? Forget the fact that we've just spent the last two hours learning that she is now Queen of the Universe and actually owns Earth. She just wants to clean toilets, date her man, forget about the liquifying of the residents of other planets and have a quiet life.
I'm not trying to embark upon a feminist rant but.. Well she's no Trinity. Who is a hacker if you remember. And fights like a badass. She don't need no man.
I feel like if Trinity had been Jupiter, and generally less make up had been used - how unpractical is it really to cake yourself to that extent while cleaning houses - and there had been some sort of thought put into character development - this whole movie could have had an entirely different reception.
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