It’s bizarre that the Wachowskis’ high bar is still considered to be “The Matrix” (1999) and that “Jupiter Ascending” (2015) is a blip on the radar – and a widely disliked blip at that. In this spectacularly realized space adventure, special-effects technology has caught up with the sisters’ vision.
Special effects catch up
The “Matrix” films effectively repurpose gritty real-world settings, and “Speed Racer” (2008) exists too much in a computerized world. But seven years later, special effects are good enough to portray the Wachowskis’ imaginings of a secret base within the hurricanes of Jupiter, flying ships that reassemble in mid-flight, and boots that allow the wearer to surf on the air.
Throw in winged beasties and costumes that would make the designers of Padme’s “Star Wars” prequel outfits salivate, and this is a luscious world. “Jupiter Ascending” isn’t the most expensive movie ever made, but it looks like it is.
“Jupiter Ascending” (2015)
Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Writers: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Stars: Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Eddie Redmayne
Reminding me of Luc Besson’s space romps “The Fifth Element” and “Valerian” – with just a pinch of a nerdy “Dune” vibe – “Jupiter” isn’t an overly geeky fantasy. It’s driven by the title character’s journey and her (and our) increasing knowledge of the ancient conflicts and rules, rather than the cool action and visuals – even though it’s loaded with the latter.
An ideal heroine
Mila Kunis is not merely fine as Jupiter, but the ideal casting. She’s beautiful enough to fit into her surprise new role as royal owner of Earth. Yet she’s down-to-earth enough that we believe she’s from a poor Russian-American family in Chicago that struggles to rise above housecleaning work. I was subconsciously aware of how Jupiter’s rise parallels Kunis’ switch from sitcoms and rom-coms to action heroine.
Jupiter’s slow-budding love interest, Caine (Channing Tatum), is a brooding counterpart. Tatum’s performance is close to one-note, and his charming sense of humor isn’t brought to bear. But that’s an understandable choice here. I love the idea of a part-human, part-wolf, and that Caine has become reckless since being split from his pack.
His hybrid quality also allows for Jupiter’s amusing failed flirting attempt. Caine says he’s closer to a dog than to her league, and she says “I like dogs” – to her own embarrassment after the fact.
Colorful design … and antagonists
Courting Jupiter for political reasons is Titus (Douglas Booth), one of three House of Abrasax siblings. Their scenes remind me of “Attack of the Clones,” but better. The gorgeous dinners and pseudo-romantic moments lack actual love, but they feature conversations that provide fascinating exposition. A movie like this is inevitably going to have talky scenes, but it always flows naturally.
The Abrasax sibling trio is rounded out by villainous Balem (Eddie Redmayne, doing an intriguing dangerous whisper throughout) and stunningly beautiful Kalique (Tuppence Middleton), who could be a girl friend to Jupiter in this new world.
A chilling revelation
Intriguingly, the conflict isn’t about straightforward governmental ruling power. We learn from the various siblings how corporatism works in a galactic market where all resources are abundant except time. Without a prized liquid produced by Abrasax, people live normal lifespans. With it, they are effectively immortal (unless killed).
It’s chilling when we learn where this liquid comes from – even though, in retrospect, it fits with what the Wachowskis explore in “The Matrix.”
An intangible strength of “Jupiter” is that it’s not pretentious about its world-building. I am a fan of the “Matrix” trilogy, but there’s a hint of “Look how cool this creation is” in those movies, and some narrative points that are hard to follow.
“Jupiter Ascending” is complex, but in an appealing way. If I don’t totally understand an aspect of the mythology, it doesn’t bump me out of the flow; and it’s not essential to one’s enjoyment. It adds to the reasons why I want to go on this spectacular adventure again.