I appreciate the exposition of the alien versus mecha theoretical construct, yet the audio feels like it’s been swiped directly from Alien. Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam - Sons of Anarchy) as our narrator/hero, Raleigh Becket, is somewhat cool. Typecasting be damned, it’s nice to see a sauve gangster taking on aliens and trying to save the world, (against his better nature,) with militaristic means.
I can let settle the clichés of portals and ‘looking in the wrong place for alien life.’ However, too much explanatory narration can be a bore. The FX are pretty sweet – the bigger your screen, the better. The violence is exciting, but not ‘emotionally effective trauma.’ The scientific speculation of a two-pilot control system is well thought out.
The characters come off as slightly shallow. Raleigh, without Jackson Teller’s background, is a staunch badass with a cool accent, nothing deeper. Stringer Bell/Idris Elba, another gangster (The Wire) as Stacker Pentecost is a waste of what little effort he gives to his delivery, of a character that doesn’t make sense with him in the role. The character reads as an uptight control-freak, asshole superior with a heart, to Raleigh. But he doesn’t sell the asshole part. His beautiful patriot/brave new world speech feels stolen directly from ID4.
The visual effects of the neural handshake are boring, though the concept is appealing. (Minority Report and Man of Steel have better visual FX.) The creature designs are reasonably interesting – Aaron Beck-esque insect for the face, mixed with a mechanical Rhino or Hippo. With the occasional alligator tail. A conscious choice appears to have been made to go with influences from creatures that we know, rather than create something wholly original.
There are skipped over concepts of K-pop, J-pop, the media and US pop-culture/hero-worship that could have been more interestingly and deeply explored. Were skipped over, presumably in favour of a more battle-oriented story. However, it’s a story which feels ‘tried’, yet not much true. The fight sequences are impressive.
The competitive conflict between Raleigh and Herc Hansen’s son Chuck (Robert Kazinsky) is weak and ineffectual. Ops Tendo Choi (Clifton Collins Jr. – Capote) is a brilliant actor in a minor role and perhaps could have been a better casting choice for this role.
One of the few interesting characters is the girl, Mako (Rinko Kikuchi) cast as a love interest.
Raleigh respects the girl, even if the writer hasn’t respected her enough to give her a complete character. Her acting is fully committed; she is better than her role.
The clock of doom concept is cool.
The storyline which follows the engineer, Doctor Geiszler (Charlie Day) is actually interesting. Unfortunately it ends predictably. One of the scientists – Gottlieb (Burn Gorman) is a cartoon character, the other is a nerd.
Guillermo can take credit for the fierce battles and joyous visuals. Will he take the credit for the lame characters and bad casting decisions?
I know a lot of girls who would fall in love with a tattooed nerd like Dr. Geiszler, if he were a more recognised and deeply written character.
Dr Geiszler wants to drift (tap into the mind) with one of the aliens – nice idea.
The final conclusion to the film’s story, regrettably, is ridiculously optimistic.
2.5 stars
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