After Earth

Based off an original story idea by Will Smith, After Earth is not the greatest movie (by far..) nor is it the worst movie in the world. Where certain aspects of this film lack, the sturdy plot and adventure-style make the film relatively enjoyable to watch. 

After Earth takes place around 1000 years into the future in a time where humans have since abandoned earth to live on more stable and suitable planets. Global warming, cataclysmic events and evolution of various animal species has forced humans off Earth making the planet dangerous and inhabitable. As a result of severe damage being inflicted upon their ship, father and son Cypher (Will Smith) and Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith) find themselves the sole survivors of a crash landing on Earth. With Cypher being left injured in the main portion of their ship, Kitai must venture out in the dangerous environment to recover the rescue beacon located in the tail end of their ship which broke off as their ship was entering Earth's atmosphere. 

(Looks kinda epic doesn't it? I would have tripped and fell right off that..just saying)

This movie had a good plot idea and presented a rather interesting concept of an adventure on an inhabitable Earth. 

While the idea for After Earth's plot was good, the actual plot itself had many problems: (SPOILERS)

How did EVERY other member of the ship's crew die in the crash except father and son?
Why exactly were they transporting that monster?
Where did the monster come from? (I have may have just missed this but let me know in the comments.) It's impossible to make a fire on Earth if their is insufficient oxygen for breathing. I also found it interesting that the beacon for communication would be in the tail of the ship, not the cockpit or main area of the ship BUT it made for a good story. (I don't want to be that person..)

And these are only a few of the problems...

Unfortunately I found the worst aspect of this movie to be the acting. Jaden Smith is not exactly the best person for this lead role. His facial expressions were comical when he intended to be serious and too serious when he intended to be comical.

(-_- One of those faces..)

 There was obviously good chemistry between Will Smith and his son, but Will's Smith's performance was average at best overall.

(SO much love...)

This film was blown up and attempted to be placed on a grand and epic level. While the film succeeded in some respects, it fell short on others rendering this film like a small foot trying to fill a big shoe. Most of these short-fallings reside on the shoulders of Director M. Night Shyamalan. Just his name alone is enough to make some people cringe in disgust. His last last four movies (The Last Airbender, The Happening, Lady in the Water, and The Village) were all flops and considered immensely unsuccessful. I have not seen ANY of these movies but they all received horrible reviews revolving around Shyamalan's directing style. To each his own, but while promoting After Earth, Shyamalan's name was strategically removed from all marketing material. That's a clear sign. 

Despite the film's failures and shortcomings, After Earth was entertaining until the end. The idea for the plot is good and an interesting concept like I said. You may find yourself not fully loving this movie, but you will not leave the theatre feeling an overwhelming sense of disappointment (like you may feel with Now You See Me...)

Film Rating:

68/100

D

Below Average

Trailer:

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