Plot: Jupiter Jones has grown up without a father and spends her days cleaning toilets. When she finds herself targeted for assassination by beings from another planet, she assumes there is some mistake and this whole thing is a ludicrous misunderstanding.
But it isn’t. Jupiter is set to inherit the Earth and that makes her a problem to those preparing to harvest it in order to stay young and beautiful. Determined to protect both her world and her family, Jupiter finds herself making choices that could impact the whole of humanity. To succeed, she must accept who she really is.
Quote: `Compared to what? The idea that you’re the only intelligent species, on the only inhabitable planet, in a universe so full of planets that you don’t even have a number to describe how many there are.`
Opinion: I’d heard raving reviews for this film and wanted to see for myself what it was about. While I don’t get why people were so taken in by it, it was nonetheless enjoyable and entertaining. Stunning effects, actions and beautiful costumes – it had a little for everyone, as long as you like science-fiction.
It took a long time for me to figure out what was going on in the plot. A lot of action and fast-paced scenes took place before anything was explained. Looking back, there are still characters and scenes that I never figured out. One fight dragged on before anything had fallen into place. Although I enjoyed the film, when I cannot clearly explain the plot afterwards means something did not work for me.
The characterisations were strong, as was their development throughout the course of the film. Caine changed the most; learning to let his heart win over his head more. Jupiter accepts her position in an alien society a little too quickly for my liking, but it did prevent the film from being about her internal dilemmas. It kept the plot moving forward, which was important. Their developing relationship was predictable, but didn’t take away the focus from the storyline as is often the case. They typically fell for each other too quickly, but it worked well enough.
The pacing was fast and the visual effects stunning. A big budget must have been needed to fund this film. But as with any film with effects, some scenes dragged on too long while the makers showed off what they were able to do with spaceships and fights and literally out of this world action. While this worked in the second half, the effects in the first half detracted from the plot. I feel the plot should always come first, which didn’t happen here.
Overall, it was enjoyable and good entertainment even if a little far-fetched. Certainly not a movie to take seriously. With a little more focus on the plot rather than the effects, it could have been a thoroughly good film but as it was, I’m glad to have seen it yet wouldn’t rush back to watch again.
A Rambling Reviewer 