The Wachowskis Returning to Sci-Fi with Jupiter Ascending - Part 1

[max314]

man there are quite a few people who signed up just to post in this thread.

We are you. Your opposite. Your negative. The result of the equation trying to balance itself out.

Oh, and:

'JUPITER ASCENDING' Rises to NUMBER ONE at the International BOX OFFICE

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

It's international opening was okay at best, nothing special at all. It was released everywhere but 3 markets.

 

[mclay18]

They were really obsessed with getting someone from BlackSwan weren't they? I know the V for Vendetta connection but still that's amusing to me.

I never read anything saying that Portman was attached to Jupiter Ascending. The Wachowskis were aggressively pursuing her for the role, and my take is that once she read the script, she declined. I don't blame her, Jupiter is a character that never takes charge and constantly needs rescuing. And I don't think she wants a three-peat of her Padme and Jane roles.

I watched the movie today, and I found it fairly enjoyable in spurts. Action was fun, but the Wachowskis needed a third writer to cut down the exposition and make Jupiter more proactive. Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum didn't feel as miscast as the trailer indicate, Eddie Redmayne's performance is gold, and the movie looks great from start to finish.

The visuals and action I think are worth going to a theater for, as long as it's a cheap 2D matinee.

 

[Tristan_McClark]

I'm going to ask a question again since, unless I missed it in which case I apologize, I didn't get an answer on this one and I am really curious: is it true that, when flirting, Mila Kunis says "my bowels aren't royalty"? Since if so, that is amazing.

I didn't see your question answered. Mila does say it in the movie. It was either "my bowels are..." or "my bowels aren't..." It was hard to tell because of the sound system, but it did get a laugh.

 

[max314]

It's international opening was okay at best, nothing special at all. It was released everywhere but 3 markets.

It's a non-franchise film at the end of a poorly conducted marketing campaign.

This film will be lucky to break even.

 

[MadVillainy]

Why... what happened between Marvel and Portman?

Not 100% sure, but I heard she didnt like that the original director, I think it was Patty Jenkins, got canned.

man there are quite a few people who signed up just to post in this thread.

Strange innit

 

[Supernova]

Officially $19 million for the weekend

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I hope the Wachowskis are ready for some big time creative concessions when they get ready to direct another 150+ million dollar film.

 

[dude stannis]

More like Marvel is done with her. Jane was the only thing that kept her career afloat.

Her conduct on that western didn't help things that's for sure.

Why... what happened between Marvel and Portman?

Same thing that happened with Edward Norton, Terrence Howard, Edgar Wright and Alan Taylor, they tried throwing their weight around and Marvel where having none of it.

As for Jupiter Ascending, I'm still seeing it in a couple of weeks no matter what.

 

[MadVillainy]

Her conduct on that western didn't help things that's for sure.

What was her conduct like on that?
I know the director left the first day without filming and there were a bunch of casting changes
But what did Portman do?

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

It really is in Portman's best interest to stick around. Having a franchise to play in when not doing indie roles keeps you on the A-list.

 

[Snow Queen]

I didn't see your question answered. Mila does say it in the movie. It was either "my bowels are..." or "my bowels aren't..." It was hard to tell because of the sound system, but it did get a laugh.

Thank you for the answer. That's....I don't know how a line like that gets past the first draft.

 

[mclay18]

Her conduct on that western didn't help things that's for sure.

What's wrong with her sticking with Jane Got a Gun after Lynne Ramsey left? Portman bust her ass getting that movie in production, I would've stuck with it too after spending months and lots of money getting cast and crew together.

People can point out her weaker performances, but Natalie Portman is a professional. I haven't heard anyone who's worked with her say bad things about her conduct on-set.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

It's international opening was okay at best, nothing special at all. It was released everywhere but 3 markets.

Fanboys that can't read BO numbers?

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

The hardcore Wachowski fanboys are just being straight up delusional about JA's box office numbers not being good. No 19 million isn't okay, no 32.5million total after being released in practically every market isn't isn't good enough. By all means be disappointed but don't be delusional. It's okay to love a film that isn't a hit and has terrible reviews.

I guess there is always hoping it hits big in China eventhough the studios only get 25% of whatever their film grosses. Australia almost always follows the U.S's box office lead so I would be shocked if it did great there.

 

[dude stannis]

I am a hardcore Wachowski fanboy. I knew this would flop when it was still a July 2014 release.

Honestly who cares? I have 10 more hours of Wachowski-ness to look forward to in a few months. And if that crashes and burns? They'll always be doing something in some capacity.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I should have said some Wachowski hardcore fanboys are being delusional.

 

[dude stannis]

Then again, if it's another Pacific Rim, maybe it's better it tanks and they go to TV land.

 

[childeroland]

Not 100% sure, but I heard she didnt like that the original director, I think it was Patty Jenkins, got canned.


Strange innit

She's the one who suggested Jenkins in the first place. Jenkins and Marvel fell out and Jenkins left the project or was fired.

 

[BatLobster]

Welp, I've seen it. Can't say I loved it, can't say I hated it.

I really, honestly dug a lot the world-building. There really are a lot of cool ideas in there. The way concepts like immortality and reincarnation play into the story in a "believable", pseudo-sciencey sort of way is really clever . The world definitely feels like it came from the same minds of the guys who hatched The Matrix universe and it feels good to see those minds playing in a new sandbox.

Acting-wise, Tatum and Bean kind of saved the movie for me. I enjoyed them together. And yes, air-skating Tatum is quite the sight to behold, lol. Kunis..nothing against her, but idk...something about her in the lead made the movie hard to take seriously at times. And you know what, when I thought about it, I'm sure plenty of people could be the same thing about Keanu and The Matrix. My girlfriend can't into The Matrix because she just can't take Keanu seriously as an actor, and for years I've always been like, "But...but...it's The Matrix!!" Now, in a weird way I think I sort of get it. Just like Neo in the first movie, Jupiter is something of a vessel character who goes around kind of confused, blankly asking question after question before finally taking a more active role in the story in the third act. So as much as I wanted to criticize the writing of Jupiter and Kunis' performance, I realize that anything you could level against that could easily be leveled against Keanu/Neo in the first Matrix...so....idk. Redmayne, certainly hammy and campy, but I didn't mind it too much. If you've seen the trailers, you've basically seen the performance, minus the odd bit of shouting. You really can't help but hate his character, so it served the story.

I don't think this is paced as well as the first Matrix, and it lacks that great moment of catharsis that might've taken it to greater heights. Visually, at times it's stunning. The Wachowskis definitely still know how to do action. However, there was a little bit too much of it for my taste and I felt myself getting a bit restless towards the end. By the time the credits rolled I just felt kind of frustrated, because it wraps up in such a typical "origin story" way, and there's the sense that there's a well thought-out universe here that could go in some interesting places and we'll never see it.

Also, I know this is sacreligious to a lot of people, but I find Giacchino overrated and not the second coming of John Williams that a lot of people hype him as. Wasn't too impressed with his score. I miss Don Davis.

Overall, 7/10. Glad the Wachowskis tried something original again. I'd watch it again and re-evaluate that because it's fairly dense, though I think density + a lot of weirdness and goofy elements doomed this from ever having a real chance to succeed. Hopefully they land on their feet.

 

[doglee80]

I went and saw it Friday night. I rarely see a movie I don't like, because I can usually tell if I'll enjoy something before seeing it. I was excited to see this movie because it was something new and original. All that being said, this was definitely the worst movie I've seen in a long time. I don't think I've ever left a theater mid-movie, but I debated doing so a few times. I was so disappointed.

 

[spider-neil]

I thought the movie was a disgrace. 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and I think it is lucky to have 20%

 

[PacificBoy]

Saw it. I thought the movie was a hot mess, in a good way. The delightfully pulpy aesthetics are almost worth the price of an iMax ticket, imaginative with impressive set pieces – all it was missing was a focused story and stronger characters. So some big minus points. There were some interesting sci-fi bits but the story went mile wide inch deep instead of digging into them. In the end, it felt like a pastiche and a nod to other sci-fi movies before than its own movie (the intergalactic red-tape sequence was an unabashed love letter to Brazil with even a cameo by Terry Gilliam).

 

[Lily Adler]

So with this movie doing so badly, can we say no more Matrix sequels rumors.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

So with this movie doing so badly, can we say no more Matrix sequels rumors.

I would think the opposite. It is their only big film hopes imo.