Blu-ray Review — Jupiter Ascending
Sadly, and in my opinion, unfairly, this film as been much maligned by reviewers. I just don’t get it. Exciting and visually stunning, Jupiter Ascending does for space opera what The Matrix did for cyberpunk. It’s one hell of a ride!
A matriarch dies, leaving her three heirs to fight for control of the House of Abrasax, the most powerful dynasty in the universe. But a fourth heir with a greater claim is unknowingly living a very ordinary life on the planet Earth, unaware of who she actually is. The most powerful forces in the universe are now out to get Jupiter Jones, but she finds a protector in the form of a genetically engineered ex-soldier, Caine Wise. Mind you, Jupiter becomes pretty good at the whole saving people thing herself. And the race is on for her to prove her claim and save the people of Earth, before one of the other heirs can do away with her.
It’s a full-on, action-packed space opera with some extraordinary action sequences, glorious special effects and intricate world building. The script twists and turns through the plot, and the revelation of what it is that the House of Abrasax sells, is excellent. Yes, there are some lapses in logic… but who cares. It’s all such wonderfully epic fun!
“There’s only one resource worth fighting over — even killing for. More time. Time is the single most precious commodity in the universe.”
Interestingly, the film includes a curiously out-of-place homage to Terry Gilliam’s Brazil, complete with… Terry Gilliam. It’s not in keeping with the tone and style of the film, and yet the bureaucratic sequence is strangely wonderful in and of itself.
Jupiter Ascending is written, produced, and directed by Lana and Andy Wachowski, the team behind Cloud Atlas, Speed Racer (another sadly underrated film) and The Matrix trilogy. Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum in the lead roles are adequate, but they seem to lack chemistry. The supporting cast, however, are top-notch. Eddie Redmayne, Douglas Booth and Tuppence Middleton as the Abrasax heirs are perfect, and Sean Bean is great as Caine’s world-weary former comrade Stinger Apini.
The Blu-ray release is excellent, with lots of great extras including behind-the-scene stuff.
Final verdict: Loved it!
Jupiter Ascending is released on Blu-ray and DVD in Australia by Roadshow Entertainment.
Catch ya later, George
PS. Follow me on Twitter to get updates.
 Check out my bookish blog, Literary Clutter, hosted by Boomerang Books.
Latest Post: So Many Choices |
