Jupiter Ascending
(2014)Wachowski siblings (The Matrix) sci-fi, starring Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum. In a universe where humans are unaware of being near the bottom of the evolutionary ladder, a woman unknowingly set to inherit vast wealth and power is targeted for assassination.... More
From the streets of Chicago to far-flung galaxies, Jupiter Ascending tells the story of Jupiter Jones (Kunis), who was born with signs predicting she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter still dreams of the stars but is destitute. 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.Hide
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Directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Starring Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne, Douglas Booth, Jo Osmond, Terry Gilliam, James D'Arcy
Written by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 8 providers
Flicks Review
BY Steve Newall Flicks Writer
If you think an intergalactic fairy tale sporting tons of prosthetics needs spicing up with a mix of royal family infighting and corporate takeover, then I refer you to Phantom Menace-era trade blockade enthusiast George Lucas, and now Jupiter Ascending. Pursuing their now-trademark singular vision that defies commercial or critical reaction, the Wachowskis have produced a head-scratching blend of action, cosmic grandiosity, over- and under-acting, and flat romance that’s never predictable in when it will stun the senses or bore you into submission.... More
Stars Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum are seriously miscast as the Cinderella/Neo and love interest/pet/Morpheus characters respectively, never evidenced more clearly than when they display zero chemistry when either trading zingers or pashes. Normally that’s not essential in a blockbuster, but when there’s so much ‘splainin’ to do, thanks to Jupiter Ascending’s elaborate Wachowski world-building, an investment in a (mostly) human relationship would have been a welcome relief from the often tedious narrative.
Luckily, Jupiter Ascending comes packing a bunch of distractions. Some of the action scenes dazzle, but not as much as the spacecraft, cities and planets that populate the film’s universe. While over-investment in their own ideas appears to be a storytelling problem for the Wachowskis, the sense that they really, really care about every frame of their films means this often looks fantastic, providing frequent rewards throughout. As does Academy Award nominee Eddie Redmayne, whose performance as principal villain is puzzlingly terrible, turning from whisper to scream on a dime, and seldom anything other than hammy, amusing if impossible to take seriously.
And, as with The Matrix, you can spend time looking at what the filmmaking siblings have “borrowed” from elsewhere – though Neo never had to negotiate a bureaucracy straight out of Brazil that’s awkwardly shoehorned in here. Then again, Brazil’s Terry Gilliam cameos in said shoe, so perhaps that lends it some legitimacy? There’s a question to ponder while your mind inevitably drifts during this.Hide
The Peoples' Reviews
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Jupiter Ascending
BY GrahamP superstar
This movie is far better than I was expecting. Every frame or clip was visually perfect. The density of the set pieces and costumes are mind boggling. I don't think Linda and Andy Wachowski could have done a better job of making this movie. The story is good, but it is a sci-fi fantasy and it may not appeal for some. It is one of the most spectacular space movies I have seen for a while.
BY JohnboyDunedin superstar
A visual feast for the eyes but the story was flat in the water. Great for a rainy day. Some good actors let down by poor story. Good action scenes. However it was just Lost in Space..
BY Gaspardation superstar
I expecte at least some depth like in Cloud Atlas. But what is this rubbish?
BY flapper123 superstar
Jupiter's journey really begins once she meets up with Caine. The film just flowed so wonderfully for me. It was paced at the right speed and gave me space to figure out the plotline in this story and its concluding climax.
It was sheer entertainment but well worth the watch, Space definitely... More belongs to space.
Nothing harsh to say about the actors, they all did brilliantly with the characters they portrayed and Sean Bean made it to the end.Hide
BY JackWallace superstar
Mila Kunis is fine, although I think anyone could have played her character. I liked Channing Tatum as the hero. Oscar nominee Eddie Redmayne as the whispering and shouting villain is hilariously awful. Some of the dialogue is extremely dumb and cheesy, but the special effects are top-notch, the action is entertaining and Michael Giacchino's score is fantastic. I love science-fiction and Jupiter Ascending is nothing more than fun popcorn entertainment.Hide
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The Press Reviews
23%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Both visually and in the action stakes, Jupiter Ascending could give pretty much any space movie a run for its money. Full Review
It’s all very chaotic and entertaining, like a bizarre cult sci-fi TV show that somehow survived a threat of mid-season cancellation. Full Review
You may fear for your sanity during Jupiter Ascending, but you’ll come out smiling. Full Review
It’s frequently entertaining, but as much for its terrible moments as its inspired touches. Full Review
While the Wachowskis have always put their greatest emphasis on aesthetics, they allow the visual impulse to get the best of them here... Full Review
Not as funny as Guardians, as awe-inspiring as Interstellar, as thrilling as Edge Of Tomorrow, or as provocative as Under The Skin. Full Review
Anyone hoping for the old Matrix magic to rematerialize (it's been 15 years) is due for more disappointment. Full Review
A big, woozy, spacey fairy tale with a science-fiction exoskeleton and a core of pure mush. Full Review
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