jonathanrogers1

There is a cinema rule of thumb: avoid any film with excessive voiceover, which this has all the way through. The plotting is poor with many unconvincing actions by the characters purely to move the plot along, the "twist" was visible from early episodes and sacha baron cohen's acting was unconvincing if you put it charitably. Save your time and watch something else. Cate Blanchett's acting was the only good thing about this very poor series. The "you" second person voiceover which may have worked as a book (though having seen it I have my doubts) certainly doesn't work as a cinematic device...

Contrary to the tide of critical disapproval, I thought it was engaging throughout with tension and humour, even if the premise is a bit far-fetched. John Malcovitch is hilarious as the pompous and reclusive megastar, whose manic narcissism meant you could believe he might do anything to anybody around him if his ego feels the slightest knock. There are so many aging rockers still going in the world (and good luck to them!) that I don't think his supposed aging stardom or geriatric gyrations should stretch audience credulity too far. I pictured him as if Elton John had gone through the black lodge in Twin Peaks and emerged in Utah.

The film starts with an interesting sci-fi idea about cloning and the abuse of an expendable underclass, but then drags on for 2 hours 17min with a long and predictable end sequence plus unnecessary coda. It's not really a horror or thriller, and wasn't funny enough for a comedy. The Mark Ruffalo and Toni Colette characters are such pantomime "baddies" as to be ridiculous rather than threatening.

On the plus side: the central concept had promise, the cinematography is atmospheric, the exo-planet is believable and the effects are good. Most of it was watchable and entertaining as far as it went, but it was disappointing, less than the sum of its parts.