Written by Bill Bodkin and Logan J. Fowler
Release Date: July 18
Starring: Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne
Directed by: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski (The Matrix)
Plot: Jupiter Jones (Kunis) was born under a night sky, with signs predicting that she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning toilets and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine (Tatum), a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along – her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: Sean Bean is in this? He’s probably gonna die. –LJF
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: In this year’s 2014 Summer Movie Preview, Dan Cohen predicted this to be the biggest bomb of the season. Not having too many positive vibes going into this. –BB
Rate the trailer (1-5): Two out of five. The main thing I can say about this trailer is it looks amazing visually. The special effects budget on this thing is probably insane. The directors (Wachowskis, guys behind The Matrix and Speed Racer) have always put out films that make the most of “graphical elements.” However, its one thing to have a film look pretty and allow it to have substance. The dudes behind Jupiter Ascending have an ability to do this but require an audience to be a little more forgiving, I guess. –LJF
Rate the trailer (1-5): Two out of five. I’ll agree with Logan here — this looks stunning from an effects standpoint. But honestly, effects don’t sell movies like they used to, especially in the summer. Compare this sci-fi epic trailer to its biggest sci-fi opponent, Guardians of the Galaxy — based on effects the two are on par, but what’s putting me in theater for Guardians? The story. And frankly the Jupiter story looks as been there, done that as possible. –BB
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? Undecided. I don’t know. On the one hand I wouldn’t mind if the film came across me as a rental, but on the other side of the coin, I wouldn’t specifically go out looking for it either. Tatum has obviously established himself as an actor who can do action scenes but his dramatic chops are not his strongest. Mila Kunis seems so out of her element here as she is more ripe for comedy. Sean Bean will not disappoint I’m sure. I guess I’m curious enough to see it for the visual flair and despite the Wachowski’s previous films getting attacked post-Matrix, I’ve heard enough good things about Cloud Atlas that maybe they haven’t lost their touch, and I love Speed Racer. No regrets. So we’ll see. –LJF
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? Undecided. I love the first Matrix film. I have a soft spot in my heart for Speed Racer. Cloud Atlas was definitely a solid movie despite it’s complex story and harsh criticisms. However, I just can’t see spending a dime to see this movie. First, Channing Tatum looks about as stiff and bland as he ever has in this trailer. The guy, when given the right spot, is super-charismatic, we see none of that here. Mila Kunis looks pretty out of place here too, despite having some decent action moments in her career (she may have been the only good part of Max Payne.) Frankly, the Wachowskis can make a good film, but this does not look like it’ll be it. This film looks one we’ve seen a million times — warrior comes to help damsel in distress who’s a royal unwittingly banished to servitude battle an empire. Yawn. So, maybe when this hits HBO or Showtime before year’s end I’ll give it a look. –BB
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