There are a lot of different sci-fi movies and shows out right now and really one for different audiences. For someone like me, I’m a casual viewer of sci-fi shows and movies but I’m not a huge fan of the genre so I actually called in some help reviewing Annihilation when we screened it in the theaters. For me, I’m more on the side of Doctor Who and Firefly but my boyfriend Jason watches a new one every week. But with that in mind, Annihilation is unlike any other sci-fi movie out there so far.
Annihilation takes the character Lena, an academic and former soldier into the “Shimmer” an unnatural occurrence as she searches for answers about what happened to her husband on his last mission. Questions surround what happened to the former missions into the Shimmer and the team is faced with the reality of going into this unknown space. Lena and her team find out a lot more about the Shimmer and themselves on their mission.
Review from the Casual Sci-Fi watcher – Becky:
While most movies that would be similar to Annihilation takes you off world for new creatures and conflicts, this one keeps you even within our own country. The Shimmer seems to be radiating from one location and threatening the locations it’s spreading out to. Once the team is inside and the initial conflict is revealed, you’re greeted with a visual feast of new plant life, changed wild life and even adaptive genetics.
For someone who really doesn’t watch a lot of sci-fi movies I was pleasantly surprised at the pace of the movie. The movie doesn’t have any lulls that you may get bored with and moves along nicely from different battles to the next. There are a few jump scares and even a few gross pars, but nothing that would make me shy away from the film.
What I appreciated about the film – the four main characters are all strong women figures. From academics, to professors, to soldiers and biologists. The team stands on their own, faces conflicts on their own and even takes charge of the situation. To see women in the lead rolls that were actually well developed characters instead of flat background characters.
The movie will leave you questioning things for good and for bad – and be sure to look for random details as it goes. The movie will be debated long after the release date.
Review From the Sci-Fi Lover – Jason:
This movie has some big names attached to it, but it leaves the viewer wondering what they saw. There are some interesting visuals and concepts throughout the movie, but the ending was a little too “now what” or “oh boy”. Anyone that has seen the movie The Astronaut’s Wife will know what I mean.
While this movie could have made a bigger impact, it is not a horrible way to spend some time. It was loud and confusing at parts, but the pacing was good. You do leave knowing that you did not get the full story. It was commented by an attendee to this preview that they left it open for a sequel. It is hard to imagine that there will be enough interest from audiances to warrant a follow up film, but stranger things have happened.
Verdict: This movie will not be added to my shelf.
Watch the Annihilation Trailer:
About Annihilation:
Lena, a biologist and former soldier, joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside Area X – a sinister and mysterious phenomenon that is expanding across the American coastline. Once inside, the expedition discovers a world of mutated landscape and creatures, as dangerous as it is beautiful, that threatens both their lives and their sanity.
From visionary writer and director Alex Garland (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later) and based on the acclaimed best-selling Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer, Annihilation stars Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguezand Tuva Novotny.
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
This film is rated R.