Movie Discussion: Jupiter Ascending

Scott Hardie | February 7, 2015
Discussion topic: If it has ever been the case that a new film by the Wachowskis is a must-see for you, is that still the case today? Bound was a good start and The Matrix was their beloved breakthrough, but things have slid downhill ever since: Two disappointing Matrix sequels, the little-loved (beyond mask enthusiasts) V for Vendetta, the ignored Speed Racer remake, and the barely-noticed Cloud Atlas that was arguably their best film. Now comes this unholy train wreck, which (given its release date) is pretty much doomed to be a huge financial loss for the studio. Can the Wachowskis recover?

Kelly and I were both disappointed in this, but she hated it viscerally. I think the lack of agency for the heroine bothered her most: Jupiter rarely gets to make any choices for herself or have a hand in her own fate, and when she does, she makes stupid choices to advance the plot. There are very few women in this movie and nearly all of them, with the exception of the Aegis captain, come across negatively. As a person who has transitioned between genders, I assume that Lana Wachowski has done a lot of thinking about gender inequity in society, and as a filmmaker she must also be aware of how few good roles women get in major films, so I wonder why the heroine of her movie was reduced to damsel-in-distress for most of the running time. It's unappealing to say the least.

I bought a new Dodge back in 2006, so for the last few years, I've been getting flyers in the mail from various Dodge dealerships in the area, trying to get me to trade in my old car for something new. One that I find particularly amusing is a form letter from some dealership that I've never heard of, down in Venice (the next big town to the south), which takes the form of a printed email. Supposedly, the manager of the dealership has written to one of his sales agents to ask rather urgently if "Sean Hardie" wants to trade in his old Dodge because they need inventory of used vehicles, and it would be a shame if they let "Sean Hardie" continue driving that old car without making him an incredible offer on a new vehicle, and I guess I'm supposed to think that this sales agent printed out this important memo from his boss for my sake. It tickles me to think that two car salesmen in another city who have never heard of me are frantically emailing each other asking about the status of my interest in car ownership. I couldn't help but think of that while watching this movie, where vast interstellar commercial empires with private armies that commit planetary genocides care very deeply about some maid in Chicago.

Every time Doona Bae's frown-loving goth-inspired bounty hunter appeared on screen, with her blue pom-pom hairstyle and stupid flying motorcycle-gun thing, I just wanted to laugh and try to cheer her up. "It'll be ok, goth bounty hunter! Don't cry! You'll catch whoever you're chasing!" I'd probably also pinch her cheeks and tousle her stupid hair.

Evie Totty | February 8, 2015
SAD

Scott Hardie | February 13, 2015
In my haste to discuss this film -- I was planning to name it Movie of the Month long before I saw it -- I neglected to consider the inevitable major hit film of February that would have made a better discussion topic: Fifty Shades of Grey.

Evie Totty | February 13, 2015
Yeah but - who in this group would see that?

Scott Hardie | February 13, 2015
I'll get around to seeing it someday, myself. I'm not expecting a masterpiece but I'll give it a shot.