Jupiter Ascending Review
I went to see Jupiter Ascending yesterday at 7pm. There were about 20-30 people. I chose 3D, but the theatre got their projector messed up. So the first 10 minutes were ruined. I thought the theatre would give us a free ticket for compensation. It didn't happen :(
Anyway, when Channing's Caine Wise finally appeared on screen, they fixed the projector. The first big fighting sequence was filmed in a valley between two high-rise buildings in Chicago. I visited that location last year. But I was unable to get to the bottom of the alley. This is a nicely done action scene, and you need to see it in 3D to feel the extra dimension.
Now the movie, the visuals are good (esp. 2-3 scenes), but there is not much happening in the movie. Characters are underdeveloped. My main complain is: Channing Tatum is underused, esp. his comedy chops. The Wachowskis hired him for his superb physicality and and Warner Bros. paid for his popularity. I feel it is such a waste of opportunity that all they gave Channing to do are saving the girl again and again. I actually like Caine's back story more. I would rather see a movie centers around Caine, Stinger (Sean Bean) and their ship. That will turn Jupiter Ascending into Firefly or Star Trek, but I don't mind.
Anyway, in this movie, Channing was an ex-soldier. He hit some royal and was expelled. So now he was hire by Titus Abrasax (played by LEGO faced Douglas Booth) to bring Jupiter to him. In exchange, he will be allowed to go back to his legion (yes, they used the word "legion"). So, Caine Wise is a bit like Marcus Aquila, but his mission is less ... honorable(?). Here is the thing. Remember how critics said Channing was wooden, charismatic in the Eagle back in 2011? My opinion is - he is giving a very similar performance in this movie. Also because of the underdeveloped script, Caine is even less emotional than Marcus. However in 2015, after two Jump Street movies and Foxcatcher, the critics seem to be more forgiving this time around. That British critic Peter Bradshaw called it "a typically good-natured performance from Tatum". What does that even mean?
Now what I like about the movie
1. Caine Wise's gravity boots :) In reality, Channing was just on roller skates.
2. Jupiter seducing Caine. You know, since She's the Man, it has always been Channing's character pursuing some girl, and finally we got to see a girl making advances to him. It's silly but cute.
3. A few funny scenes in the movie, e.g. the one in which Jupiter tries to get her identify stamp. If the Wachowskis used Channing more in those funny scenes, Jupiter Ascending will be a much enjoyable movie.
4. The visual, the world they live in and a few costumes women wore in this movie.
5. Titus Abrasax's gravity free, multi-person sex scene ;p
6. One or two particular scenes involving something only women use.
Lastly, and the best, Caine's wing. They are BEAUTIFUL. Now we get the visual for more The Eagle wing fictions. You gotta love the feel-good ending.
What I don't like about the movie
1. Making Jupiter the center character.
2. Eddie Redmayne's weak villain (weak in body and mind).
3. No solid story and underdeveloped characters.
4. All the ugly creatures.
Anyway, even this movie fails at the box office. Channing still has Magic Mike XXL. Judging from BoxOffice.com's Twitter Index, it got more tweets (and very positive ones) than some recent trailer debuts, e.g. Ant Man and Fantastic 4 during the same period of time. Also I find the timing of releasing this trailer interesting. Channing was actually at Dubai on Wednesday. Then the following days, he and some of his actor pals and his production company partner went to Kubal, Afghanistan for a goodwill tour to see deployed troops. People posted a lot of Instagram photos. I like this one.
Anyway, when Channing's Caine Wise finally appeared on screen, they fixed the projector. The first big fighting sequence was filmed in a valley between two high-rise buildings in Chicago. I visited that location last year. But I was unable to get to the bottom of the alley. This is a nicely done action scene, and you need to see it in 3D to feel the extra dimension.
Now the movie, the visuals are good (esp. 2-3 scenes), but there is not much happening in the movie. Characters are underdeveloped. My main complain is: Channing Tatum is underused, esp. his comedy chops. The Wachowskis hired him for his superb physicality and and Warner Bros. paid for his popularity. I feel it is such a waste of opportunity that all they gave Channing to do are saving the girl again and again. I actually like Caine's back story more. I would rather see a movie centers around Caine, Stinger (Sean Bean) and their ship. That will turn Jupiter Ascending into Firefly or Star Trek, but I don't mind.
Anyway, in this movie, Channing was an ex-soldier. He hit some royal and was expelled. So now he was hire by Titus Abrasax (played by LEGO faced Douglas Booth) to bring Jupiter to him. In exchange, he will be allowed to go back to his legion (yes, they used the word "legion"). So, Caine Wise is a bit like Marcus Aquila, but his mission is less ... honorable(?). Here is the thing. Remember how critics said Channing was wooden, charismatic in the Eagle back in 2011? My opinion is - he is giving a very similar performance in this movie. Also because of the underdeveloped script, Caine is even less emotional than Marcus. However in 2015, after two Jump Street movies and Foxcatcher, the critics seem to be more forgiving this time around. That British critic Peter Bradshaw called it "a typically good-natured performance from Tatum". What does that even mean?
Now what I like about the movie
1. Caine Wise's gravity boots :) In reality, Channing was just on roller skates.
2. Jupiter seducing Caine. You know, since She's the Man, it has always been Channing's character pursuing some girl, and finally we got to see a girl making advances to him. It's silly but cute.
3. A few funny scenes in the movie, e.g. the one in which Jupiter tries to get her identify stamp. If the Wachowskis used Channing more in those funny scenes, Jupiter Ascending will be a much enjoyable movie.
4. The visual, the world they live in and a few costumes women wore in this movie.
5. Titus Abrasax's gravity free, multi-person sex scene ;p
6. One or two particular scenes involving something only women use.
Lastly, and the best, Caine's wing. They are BEAUTIFUL. Now we get the visual for more The Eagle wing fictions. You gotta love the feel-good ending.
What I don't like about the movie
1. Making Jupiter the center character.
2. Eddie Redmayne's weak villain (weak in body and mind).
3. No solid story and underdeveloped characters.
4. All the ugly creatures.
Anyway, even this movie fails at the box office. Channing still has Magic Mike XXL. Judging from BoxOffice.com's Twitter Index, it got more tweets (and very positive ones) than some recent trailer debuts, e.g. Ant Man and Fantastic 4 during the same period of time. Also I find the timing of releasing this trailer interesting. Channing was actually at Dubai on Wednesday. Then the following days, he and some of his actor pals and his production company partner went to Kubal, Afghanistan for a goodwill tour to see deployed troops. People posted a lot of Instagram photos. I like this one.