Jupiter Ascending
Daughter of Russian descent but living in America, Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) is a housekeeper with the rest of the women in her family struggling to make a living. But, as fate would allow, Jupiter also happens to be the identical genetic match to deceased royalty from outside our galaxy. Being a genetic match makes Jupiter the heir to the Abrasax family, and a large chunk of the human race (which incidentally extends across the universe on many planets). But politics within the Abrasax family are untidy to say the least, brothers Balem and Titus (Eddie Redmayne and Douglas Booth) and sister Kalique (Tuppence Middleton) all want a piece of Jupiter for their own selfish reasons. Meanwhile, Earth is in danger of extinction. Protected by the mighty dog man, Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), Jupiter will need to straighten out the politics, save her own family, and save Earth; no sweat, or is it already too late?
Directed by The Wachowskis, this modern day cinderella meets Dune sic-fi romp into deep space succeeds on many factions but ultimately fails once the dust has settled. From the outset, the look of the film in all of its NOT necessary 3D glory is sharp, the art direction and costuming is all interesting and eye-catching , the acting’s not half bad. But, with a convoluted storyline, meaningless exposition that does little to advance the plot, characters that fail to emotionally connect with the audience, drawn out and repetitive action sequences that numb the senses and of course the ultimate suspension of disbelief, a lumbering lunker of a film awaits. All aboard this starship to planet “Meh,” maybe consider a matinee or rental later, Jupiter Ascending is rated PG-13.