Here's an idea. Take Apocalypse Now, Jurassic Park, The Thing and 2001: A Space Odyssey and throw them into a blender. Now imagine them by the guy that did Ex Machina and you've got Annihilation. Now, I'll admit that I have some problems with it's limited release, especially the reasoning, but having seen it, I have to say that it isn't a factor when it comes to quality. Limited release or not, this is some solid stuff. I've already talked about how much I love 28 Days Later, and Ex Machina was also a fantastic piece of science fiction cinema. But Alex Garland's most recent effort is also one of his best, a fantastic blend of sci-fi horror and surrealist storytelling that seeks to take the viewer on a journey through claustrophobic horror and unfamiliar insanity.
But let's backtrack. What is Annihilation? Well a soldier goes missing in an unusual ecosystem, and his biologist wife goes into the forest to investigate the natural phenomena. That's the core premise, but as time goes by, things get dark. Fast. The Shimmer contains a variety of anomalies, and the experience of being inside it gradually takes it's toll on the people within it.
This makes Annihilation a fairly interesting and often dreamlike experience. It's an idea that maybe could have been confusing in the wrong hands, but with Alex Garland at the helm, it's easy enough to follow while still being completely open to interpretation. That's a hell of a balancing act, but it's something that Garland never struggles with.
The film is one that's more driven by atmosphere and tone over story. There is a plot here (and a pretty good one at that), but it takes a backseat to the ideas on display. This results in a beautifully strange and dreamy ride through a world rich with interesting ideas concerning science, nature and life. It's pure cinematic experience, one that's simultaneously distributing and beautiful, and always impossible to take your eyes off of.
The performances as well are fairly good too. With a cast like this, you're guaranteed some strong turns, and the acting here is pretty great. Natalie Portman is a great lead, one that you sympathize with, being likable but never flawless. And watching here quest to get to the lighthouse is always fascinating.
The support is phenomenal. Oscar Isaac is great as a bewildered and traumatized soldier, who becomes the subject of some very disturbing reveals as the plot progresses. Jennifer Jason Leigh is really good as the leader of this investigation, and soon becomes ambiguously trustworthy, further increasing the doibt and fear of the characters. Tessa Thompson rocks too, being introverted but always charming. She's definitely one of my favourite up and coming actors, and this film proves why. She sells her character's quietly determined nature.
But it's Gina Rodriguez who steals the film for me. I adore Jane the Virgin. It's one of the best shows I've seen in a while, and Gina Rodriguez is a big part of that. When I heard she was in this I was pretty excited, and she did not disappoint. She effortlessly conveys her character's descent. She's always believable, and makes this seemingly simplistic character sympathetic and interesting. You always understand why she does what she does, and you empathize with her when things get hairy. I really need to gush over Jane sometime.
So, Annihilation. I was looking forward to this one, and for the most part it lived up to it. Okay, so it's occasionally incoherent, especially towards the end, but it's a potentially confusing idea told in an accessible way. Is it for everyone? No. Is it Garland's best? No. Is it good? Most definitely. It's fantastically directed, wonderfully atmospheric and contains some great visuals. The performances support the plot effortlessly, and the whole experience of drifting into a hellish ecosystem is a fairly strong one. It's a visceral film, one that you experience alongside the characters, and as a result, it works. Go see it, I assure you it won't be too intellectual for you.
Okay, I'll let that go now.
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