Jupiter Ascending | Movie Review

I am an unabashed, unapologetic fan of science fiction, in particular space operas. I love stories that are told across the stars, with characters as grand as any nebula. I am also a totally unashamed fan of the Wachowskis. Though many love to trash and bash the work of these siblings, I have always found their work amazingly complex and beautiful, even the sequels to The Matrix (in fact I found Reloaded to be the best in the trilogy, with notes of The Empire Strikes Back resounding through it). So, with all that in mind, a movie like Jupiter Ascending should be a surefire hit for me, right? A space opera told by my favorite writer/directors? How can it miss?

Simply put, it doesn’t. I thankfully can say that once again the Wachowskis have put together a movie that is as sweeping as it is gorgeous, complex and layered without ever feeling unwieldy, its action-packed story told with just enough humor to keep a constant smile curling the lips. It isn’t a perfect film by any means, but then few are (though the Wachowskis’ came achingly close with Cloud Atlas).

Jupiter Ascending tells the story of Jupiter Jones, played with pixyish delight by Mila Kunis. Born without a country to a family without means, the future didn’t look bright for Jupiter (oh, and yes, they explain why she’s named that) as she scrubbed toilets and cleaned the homes of people far above her status. But, just when her life seems to be at its bleakest, everything is turned upside-down, and soon she learns that not only is she not human, she’s also a powerful noble from a far-flung region of space. That might sound like a wonderful change of fortune for Jupiter, but that also means she has a target the size of, well, Jupiter on her back, and all too quickly danger comes calling. Thankfully she has Caine to protect her. Channing Tatum’s stoic Caine is a former soldier turned mercenary, the product of genetic splicing, and all his warrior skills are put to the test as he attempts to keep her safe so he can deliver her to his employer.

As good as Mila’s Jupiter and Channing’s Caine are, all space operas depend on one crucial element – a dastardly villain. That is where Eddie Redmayne comes in as Balem Abrasax. But, unlike most space opera villains who revel in over-the-top yells and barbs, Redmayne plays Balem with subtlety and a quiet reserve that most would mistake for weakness. They would be fools. I appreciated Redmayne’s choice to keep Balem as tactful and calm as he is deadly, saving his true villainous operatics for when it mattered most.

If there’s one thing the Wachowskis are known for, even among their detractors, it’s their eye for stunning visuals, and Jupiter Ascending does not disappoint. The movie screen seemed constantly to be filled, especially when it came to outer space scenes. This is a very occupied universe they’ve shown us, and I can only imagine how many CGI artists died at their workstations putting it together, their poor coding fingers worn to the bones. The actors look good as well, Mila in particular who has a nice Amadala costume moment, as do the sets, but it’s the computer generated imagery that shines brightest.

The music doesn’t let down either. Scored by Michael Giacchino, this sounds very much like a space opera. Occasionally it hews a bit too close to John Williams’s Star Wars music, but that’s probably hard not to do given how large a sonic shadow Williams casts in the area of sci-fi movies.

Now, earlier I said this movie wasn’t perfect, so after all this praise it might seem like I was lying. I wasn’t. There are a few moments where story problems are too easily covered over, leaving behind logic holes a bit too large for my liking. But for me the biggest problem, strangely enough given that I’m a fiction writer, was the vastness of the story. The history the film alludes to covers millions of years, and the universe it’s led to is complex, yet we’re dropped into the story without much context, and what context we do get is give on the fly and fairly sparingly. Even by the end of it I still felt a bit lost. That doesn’t mean, though, that I wish they’d loaded more exposition into the movie. Exposition is the work of the Devil. No, instead I wish there had been a film before this, one that set up the universe and got us ready for Jupiter’s journey. In fact, this is one of the rare movies that I think might have made for an even better TV show, but only if it was handled by a company like HBO or Netflix that cares about storytelling and broad visual canvases. If I had a particular wish, it would be that the Wachowskis decided to write books set in this universe. And, if they have thought about it but don’t have the time, hey, call me. I could dive into something like this with gusto.

Jupiter Ascending is, for me, a movie I can hold to my heart and cherish. It is as unapologetic about its love for space opera as I am, and it shows in every frame. I look forward to the day when I can own a copy and place it proudly next to other films of a similar vein and splendor – Star Wars, Chronicles of Riddick, John Carter, Serenity, and The Fifth Element. Hopefully others will feel as I do, the movie will make lots of money, and we’ll get more Jupiter films. They’ve certainly set the stage for it. Jupiter should definitely get to ascend even higher.

Justin Macumber
The Hollywood Outsider