Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) is unaware she is the reincarnation of a galactic Queen Abrasax, and is currently cleaning toilets for a living in New York. When politics and power intervene, the Earth becomes the property hanging in the balance.
The Abrasax sibling, rulers of the known universe, Kalique (Tuppence Middleton,) Titus (Douglas Booth) and Balem (Eddie Redmayne) want to claim the planet and its resources as their own. Jupiter, holding title over the Earth, is the only person standing in their way.
Many different alien species want to capture Jupiter for their own purposes and she is sent a bodyguard, Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), a wolf-man hybrid to protect her. As Jupiter learns of her part in an epic galactic saga, the two fall in love and an adventure begins.
We say, “It’s the soft Matrix.”
TAYLOR: There are many references to other films in the Wachowski siblings’ opening act, Jupiter Ascending. I saw and heard the majesty, self-reverence and excitement of Star Wars, the royalty, commerce and sexuality of Dune, the discovery and peril of The Matrix, even a touch of the bureaucracy of Brazil in a Terry Gilliam moment. Top this off with the “One” being a woman and we have a unique film with every reason to impress, given enough talent and money. The “what” is all there, but did you enjoy the “how” or the “why?”
HOWE: I did, somewhat. In the past I have complained about movies being too long or being split up into several films, just to get an extra payday. I feel cheated by what Jupiter Ascending could have achieved. It’s not a half-bad movie, but that’s what it feels like, half a movie. It doesn’t delve deep enough into Abrasax siblings’ dealings with Jupiter, they each have their 10 minute storyline with her before disappearing into the movie set, never to be seen again in the film.
You can tell by the special effects that this wasn’t a cheap movie to make, so why cheap out on the storyline?
TAYLOR: It is a setup for a franchise, just like every other setup for a franchise. Perhaps your issue is well founded, as Jupiter Ascending offers nothing that isn’t only establishment. At the end of the film, after many swooping laser battles in defence of Jupiter, expository dialogue which inexplicably turns romantic, even a giant confrontation where it seems a great city is destroyed, there are still no answers.
There is a lull created where we wait for the next installment.
This is a well executed chapter play, but it’s all bells and whistles. Jupiter has no meat on her bones.
HOWE: There were a couple of things that I found a little strange. The first was that Balem talked so quietly that even an owl would have problems understanding what he was saying. The other, which I found amusing, was Caine’s mode of transport. It looked like he had two hoverboards from Back to the Future attached to his feet and he was trying out for the local roller-derby team.
– Taylor gives Jupiter Ascending 2.5 wasted heroines out of 5.
– Howe gives it 2.5 tattoos out of 5.
– Reel Reviews with Brian Taylor and Peter Howe appears in The Morning Star every Friday and Sunday.
