Introduction
“Jupiter Ascending” is a space opera film from 2015 that The Wachowskis, who also created “The Matrix” Trilogy, wrote, produced, and directed. As is the case with many science fiction films today, it aims to integrate a new science fiction highlight with beautiful and complex world-building, elaborate visual effects, and set pieces. Unfortunately, in spite of the multiverse rupturing visions it had, the film was a commercial failure and it did not fare much better with critics. However, it is now a cult classic known for its beautiful chaos.
Synopsis
The story revolves around a mundane individual called Jupiter Jones, portrayed by Mila Kunis. Jupiter is born to a fairly standard middle class family, living in an unremarkable life stricken with her unremarkable reality, bound by a chaotiс world. Immigrants often have a pre-defined script bound to their lifestyle with no alternatives or options, so cleaning houses for a living is all Jupiter’s family can afford to do in her magical city of Chicago.
To Jupiter, she is just an ordinary person, but she carries great importance on a cosmic figure. By nurturing and protecting her, Balem can still exploit the universe’s most precious resources. Balem aims to rule her like she is a possession devoted to Earth, but unlike in their stories, it would be done with deadly intent. Earth blends it’s lifecycle upon prospering as a planet that gives life, but in return, is expected to serve as supply of a serum meant to extend youth mercilessly. Abrasax siblings face Jupiter’s existence, which binds them in unison with her kasi gems.
There exists a family to the most powerful dynast of a house, Abrasax which holds on its three heirs openly warring with one another. Bound with deadly intent thrust upon possessing Earth, Balem portrays a more domineering pose over Jupiter. Alongside claiming the life of a single thin layer of gel, Kalique and Titus though eye of gaining legal authority over spars, future wife reigns as just another kingdom meant to be strung as trophy.
With Caine along the aid meant for Caine, out of the world changes suddenly open for Jupiter with galaxies shifting, transforming into universe’s most alien-like scenery blended together with ruthless space ease. Beginning as something meant to aid and escort Jupiter, permanently shifts to protect her from interstellar governing forces and wars far more ruthless than anything previously.
Now she gets to enjoy what true deficiency of intergags Bo Shenolit can inflict.
Jupiter traverses through her galaxy as a queen, struggling to reconcile the cosmic pedestal from which she hails, and where her emotions firmly anchor her being. Like any human, she too is susceptible to a longing for human connection, and unlike rubber and steel nobility, her empathy and morality remain intact, which deepens her suffering upon discovering the shocking reality of the universe’s elite who treat planets — and lives — as commodities.
Balem attempts to blackmail her over her family’s lives at the harvesting facility dubbed Jupiter, one of his many harvesting facilities, compelling her to cede Earth to him. This is the film’s climax. Jupiter sidesteps principles refusing to yield to dominant systems and fights back, bringing down Balem amidst the crossfire of a monumental struggle. With a renewed sense of purpose blended with dashful humility, Jupiter retreats to her earthly residence, surrendering to a softened relationship forged with Caine during the struggle.
Cast & Crew
Starring as Jupiter is Mila Kunis, who features relatability as one placed in the thrust of galactic trill, toonheaded by the need to survive tribute. As Hollywood’s Poker-faced Mascot, Kunis blended compassion and amazement wrapped in martyr attire to summon words scene after scene.
Lightsaber-whispering granted wisdom hid underneath brooding caricature outriggers: Channing Tatum as Caine Wise the genetically-boosted grumpy dogman warrior. The emotional hold under guardians’ stoic skin is present in the skirting window, producing the classic defacto warrior on Juper’s console.
Eddie Redmayne features as Balem Abrasax in arguably the most noted performance for its blend of whispery, sinister nuances and sudden outbursts. Redmayne’s portrayal, for better or worse, has been lambasted and praised for its dramatistic over-theatricality.
Sean Bean features as Stinger Apini, Caine’s former partner and a soldier who helps Jupiter. Bean endowed this relatively minor yet central character with depth and compassion.
The film is under the direction of Lana and Lilly Wachowski, the siblings who imagined Jupiter Ascending as both a sophisticated sci-fi story and a modern fairy tale. Their goal was to interweave elements of classical mythology with the frivolous demeanor of space operas.
Under the supervision of Dan Glass, the visual effects team executed brilliant city and battle scene sequences. The scope of art direction and costume designs were also grand, synthesizing from Gothic, Renaissance, and futurism now consider them.
As a deviation from the norm in Hollywood, the score by Michael Giacchino was written before the film received editing. His elaborate orchestration underlies the grand scope and emotional moments of the narrative.
Critical Reception and Ratings on IMDb
In the eyes of the critics and viewers, “Jupiter Ascending” received a rating of roughly 5.3/10 on IMDb indicating lackluster reception, along with divided opinions.
After its release, the movie faced harsh backlash due to its mixed performances, intricate plot, and excessive and dramatic dialogue. A plethora of critics believed the film was filled with imagination to the extent of overflowing it, and world-building was done with such chaos that it led to the audience getting lost instead of immersed. Campy delivery combined with serious themes further segregated the audience. Parts that were supposed to be grandiose were portrayed in an annoyingly funny manner.
Eddie Redmayne’s performance gained praise as well as backlash. While some believed his choices were bold, others thought that his execution was too outlandish and distracting. Redmayne himself went on to acknowledge how bizarre his portrayal was in hindsight, which only added more muss to the topic.
The visual spectacle of “Jupiter Ascending” was critically praised despite the backlash. The film’s detailed spaceships, alien species, and complex galactic landscapes were a masterpiece in deadly imagination. Many considered the action sequences, particularly the long chase in Chicago, to be one of the best in cinematic history. Vettel’s face in the robot was appreciated along with many.
Some audience members admired how the harsh portrayal of women was flipped and the main character at no point became an emotionally devoid warrior, but was actually able to hold onto her compassion and empathy. While Jupiter was presented in a way where she did not have to subdue worlds, but did so in a way where she preserved humanity in ruthless power dynamics.
Now, “Jupiter Ascending,” in retrospect seems like a bungled attempt at a grand vision. A movie that is overflowing with ideas that cannot possibly work within one single narrative. However, stands as a film that attempted to do something out of the ordinary in a world of nihilistic movie franchises and lazy reboots.
Conclusion
Despite its many moments of weaknesses and flaws, eerie expansionistic fantasy built on the comparison between brutal capitalism and beauty is surprisingly imaginative. Set within the world of science fiction, “Jupiter Ascending” is captivating in the attempt by the Wachowski siblings. Alongside the glaring inconsistencies in tone and pacing, attempts at suffocating the plot into unnatural sketch blocks filled with loose ends create conflicting thoughts surrounding the film. Regardless, it is impossible to deny that “Jupiter Ascending” will leave fans mesmerized by feats of unparalleled imagination, creativity, and artistry.
The opera may have lost its serene touch, yet “Jupiter Ascending” manages to retain a spark of hope. Broader sci-fi films that rarely think outside the box are kneeling in the presence of Jupiter. Whether praised simply for sheer eccentricity and vision, or for being labeled as lacking charm makes no difference; what truly separates Jupiter from the rest are the moments filled with heart that remain incomprehensible to straight-on viewers, relished by loyal fans.
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