Le dernier voyage

First and foremost - this film was visually stunning. The CGI work was second to none. I read all the reviews and only one mentioned this outstanding part of the film.

The story was, to me, unusual, and did have some holes in it. That's okay - it's Sci-Fi!!

If nothing else, it was a great study of a screwed up family. Elliott, the older brother in this, was one creepy guy.

The science made no sense to me, but it never does - in real life and time or in films, so I just went along with the story and the science. It's called literary license, people!

So if you want to watch a Sci-Fi film that just a bit left of center and beautifully shot - this should be your choice.

In the hands of a better writer this could've been a more exciting movie, instead we get a road trip to nowhere crossed with elements of No Country For Old Men, Mad Max and The Professional. For a society that appears to be in its last few days it's hard to reconcile having a news/DJ play the role of info-dumper and why France seems to look like Montana.

A weak attempt at a family tragedy backstory doesn't give weight to the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist, so the film plods on to its end with only a couple of respites that generate any interest. Jean Reno is wasted in a nothingburger role. The female character simply isn't interesting nor believable.

The Metal Hurlant influence was clearly present in places; a few bits reminded me of comics by Druillet and Moebius/Jean Gerard but nothing special.

There are a few french science fiction movies that are good. But not this one.

Bad acting, clichés, things that have been ripped off other movies (No country for old men, Armageddon, Melancholia...) Unlikely things that would make SF fans hurl... almost made me laugh.

The setting is well made hinting at a post-apocalyptic world a bit like the "fallout" game, only with a destructive red moon added for space flavour.

However, that's where the fun ends.

The slow-paced (boring!) unmenacing and humdrum atmosphere does not match the setting's potential.

Instead, random robot soldiers (making annoying noises) and drones are stationed around randomly protecting a derelict society against no particular menace(??), and boringly chasing the "hero". The antagonist is one-dimensional and doesn't really clash against the hero or create meaningful or interesting conflict. Nor is there any discernable plot, with random family flashbacks, and nothing really happening. The story just patters along and along... until the viewer falls asleep or checks the news on teh phone. Yawn!

Post or rather pre apocalyptic movies can be quite interesting and intriguing. Jean Reno seems a bit wasted in this and I get if you are more annoyed by the movie rather than engaged by it. Having said that, the cinematography of the movie is quite something to behold.

So technically speaking there is something to see here - no pun intended. The main character has his moments too and there will be blood and violence. So while the overall story may be simple, I would surprised if you'd think this is something to be watched by kids. On the other hand, I reckon if you don't have an issue with them playing Call of Duty and whatnot, I guess it makes sense to you.

That aside, the movie has some ups and downs and some ideas that work and some that don't. Let's hope the end of the world is not upon us - although this seems to be more interesting than the debates you have now with Corona surging again and people either still not accepting reality or getting lost in conspiracies ...