In the not too distant future, due to environmental damages, it is determined that humans are going to have to evacuate the earth. Everyone pools their resources and efforts, managing to build six spaceship arks.
Select plants, animals and about 750,000 people travel for 100 years, at faster than light speed, to a nearby inhabitable planet dubbed Nova Prime. The offspring of these last people set up a new civilization, starting at year zero AE, after Earth.
The Skrel, an alien race with a claim to Nova Prime, show up after 140 years of peace on their newfound home and the humans start fighting a war that will last 1,000 years. Halfway through that war, the Skrel release a genetically created war creature called the Ursa. These nightmare creatures are blind and find us by sensing our fear.
While fighting an Ursa, a soldier named Cypher Raige (Will Smith) discovers that he is able to not feel fear, thus becoming invisible to the Ursa. This phenomenon becomes known as ghosting and controlling your emotions becomes part of the culture.
Cypher Raige becomes a legend.
During a routine trip to a nearby planet Cypher and his son Kitai (Jaden Smith) have an accident that forces them to warp to unknown coordinates. Damaged beyond repair, they must crash land on a planet where everything has evolved to be deadly to humans: Earth.
We say, “It’s Castaway meets Predator.”
TAYLOR: Everything that is cool about this film is in its exposition. The film wants you to think it’s just an action flick, unless you happen to be turned on by its philosophy, in which case further investigation will not leave you wanting.
HOWE: Oh boy, here we go again… Sometimes people just want to have fun, you know? For me After Earth was better than expected. This isn’t the first time we have seen this father and son join forces, Pursuit of Happyness, and I don’t think it will be the last. Jaden seems to be following in his dad’s steps and starting to look like a good little actor, not just relying on his name to get by (although it doesn’t hurt).
TAYLOR: I think for anyone wanting to see an action film, with an interesting story, good acting and excellent special effects, After Earth will not disappoint. But it would be remiss to ignore the parallels it has with Scientology and the works of L. Ron Hubbard.
If you go to afterearth.com, you will find in-depth story lines, games for young people, interactive interfaces of future history, videos about survival and the environment. I spent more than an hour looking at After Earth miscellanea. These things don’t exist to fill a need for excitement, but rather understanding. Will the film entertain those who have no inkling of its philosophy? I think so. Does it have an intention for its audience? Absolutely. Go see it and find out.
— Howe gives After Earth 3 lung coaters out of 5.
— Taylor gives it 3 giant eagles out of 5.
The film is currently showing at the Galaxy Cinemas in Vernon.
Brian Taylor and Peter Howe review films for The Morning Star, every Friday and Sunday.
