So you've strapped a whole bunch of enormous rockets to Planet Earth and are attempting to blast it all the way off the solar system and into the interstellar void in order to escape the Sun going kablooey?
I'm listening.
Unfortunately, this film commits the exact same sin many other natural disaster movies do. Quite many of the monster movies as well. Kaiju ones especially. It seems to think we'd rather follow a small group of nobodies around some desolated landscapes while the movie absolutely refuses to focus on this grand, epic catastrophe that's happening just off-screen.
I mean, if done well, it can work. Especially if the story is explicitly about smaller human fates while the catastrophe is happening as a background event. Train to Busan comes to mind. But when this small group of nobodies suddenly becomes the unlikeliest bunch of heroes who are the only remaining hope of all of mankind - like they always do - then it just becomes tedious.
This film doesn't even add anything new to the mix. You can pretty much guess how it's going to go from minute one. Second one, almost.
To the film's credit, there is some spectacle in the visuals of it. This film has some absolutely gorgeous shots and scenes. Sure, it's not quite top of the industry in its CGI, but given its budget, it's downright jaw dropping. Two thumbs up for the special effects studio(s).
But, nice visuals can't safe a film. The Wandering Earth is worth a watch if you're just looking for a nice CGI disaster film and/or you're wanting to check out a proper blockbuster extravaganza that wasn't made in the US.
I'm listening.
Unfortunately, this film commits the exact same sin many other natural disaster movies do. Quite many of the monster movies as well. Kaiju ones especially. It seems to think we'd rather follow a small group of nobodies around some desolated landscapes while the movie absolutely refuses to focus on this grand, epic catastrophe that's happening just off-screen.
I mean, if done well, it can work. Especially if the story is explicitly about smaller human fates while the catastrophe is happening as a background event. Train to Busan comes to mind. But when this small group of nobodies suddenly becomes the unlikeliest bunch of heroes who are the only remaining hope of all of mankind - like they always do - then it just becomes tedious.
This film doesn't even add anything new to the mix. You can pretty much guess how it's going to go from minute one. Second one, almost.
To the film's credit, there is some spectacle in the visuals of it. This film has some absolutely gorgeous shots and scenes. Sure, it's not quite top of the industry in its CGI, but given its budget, it's downright jaw dropping. Two thumbs up for the special effects studio(s).
But, nice visuals can't safe a film. The Wandering Earth is worth a watch if you're just looking for a nice CGI disaster film and/or you're wanting to check out a proper blockbuster extravaganza that wasn't made in the US.