“Jupiter Ascending” is the latest film created by the Wachowski siblings and if you’ve seen the trailers and commercial spots for the film, you’re probably confused by what you might be in for. The reviews are now in for the film and unfortunately, it seems the critics are also confused as to what they actually watched.
“Jupiter Ascending” is currently at 36 percent, which, in terms of Rotten Tomatoes’ ratings, is well in the “Rotten” category. The consensus seems to be that the film is an interesting offering with neat ideas, but none of the different ideas come together.
Variety’s Peter Debruge called the film a “disappointing step backwards for the Wachowskis, who lose themselves in an over-designed, underdeveloped ‘Star Wars’-style land grab in space.”
Dean Faraci from Badass Digest and Simon Reynolds from Digital Spy stated that the film tickled the imagination, but otherwise, there was a lot to be desired. Faraci wrote that apart from the designs, it was a “rote CGI blockbuster that takes no chances narratively, cinematically or philosophically.” Reynolds said that despite the film being a “hot mess space opera from start to finish,” it was “an entertaining load of old cobblers.”
There were some positive reviews for “Jupiter Ascending,” but even the positive ones made mention of the convolution the film seems to struggle from. One of the more positive reviews, from Time Out’s Tom Huddleston, wrote, “You have to hand it to Lana and Andy Wachowski: they don’t do things by halves.”
“Jupiter Ascending” comes to theaters Feb. 6. Will you be watching?