Paraíso

I really wasn't expecting something quite as good based on the putrid 6.3/10 rating on IMDb. The production, acting, premise, are all really good. The sci-fi story is very interesting though pretty linear and mostly predictable. With that said I was fully captivated throughout the entire movie and I'm one that gets antsy easily. I haven't seen any of the actors before but they all played their parts very well and were fully convincing in their parts. I would definitely watch a part 2 of this movie if one is made. The only reason I think this movie didn't get a higher review is the subtitles and the fact that it doesn't have a single A-list actor from Hollywood.

This movie had everything to be great. The premise was good, to say the least, the beginning was exciting, the performances committed and the course chosen pointed in the direction of something really prosperous.

In addition, the ethical issues raised by a group called Adam, which violently opposes the shady methods of manipulating the life span of the poor in exchange for money , run by the AEON company, are extremely valid and provide material for a realistic reflection on a possible future that lies ahead of our time. In fact, this discussion would have been the best thing in the movie if the script had gone down this road.

But halfway through the movie the script becomes a seesaw with so many ups and downs. The story loses its breath and becomes a little lame. It improves a little with the reappearance of the terrorist core Adam, adding some action to the lukewarm script, but it falls off again with poor script choices as the film nears its climax.

When personal moral dilemmas that don't quite fit appear out of nowhere, things turn lukewarm again and the movie goes downhill again. And so it goes until the end. It's not bad and keeps the interest, but good wasted characters and an undefined script about where it wants to go, partially spoil what could have been great. In the end, it leaves a slight hook for a possible continuation.

I see there are a lot of mixed reviews for this German sci-fi, from people that didn't get it to people that found it clever. Count me in the people that enjoyed this movie, and so did my wife. I thought the plot was interesting, certainly food for thought. The only thing that could have been a bit better was the acting from certain actors but overall it was all pretty decent. I didn't think the plot was complicated at all so I don't get what others didn't understand about the story. The lesson of the movie is don't do to others what you don't want others do to you. If everybody would think about that a bit more, life on earth would be so much better.

I think that Germany is a step ahead here in Europe, lots of European production such as the French one or the Italian one are still attached at the old way of doing cinema, such as Nouvelle vague or Neorealism, Germany during these last few years has demonstrated that has a lot to offer, Dark, Kleo, 1989 and now Paradise. It was not a perfect movie, but it was not predictable and it perfectly show how fragile human nature is and how humans way of thinking can change.

The main protagonist really did an amazing job, his character is very well written like the rest of the script. I wouldn't mind if they do a sequel to this movie. If you liked In time, you'll definitely like this one!

This is a German Sci-Fi film based around the premise that scientists have determined a way to not just extend your life, but buy back your youth. The catch is that your time is coming directly from someone who is DNA compatible with you (I.e. Relatives make a good match and certain ethnic backgrounds are underrepresented). The company who has developed this technology is run like a massive biotech that has Apple like meetings where awards like salesperson of the year are awarded...but the real reason people attend is to hear the CEO speak, a Olivia Theissen. The recipient of the best salesperson award is Max, who we follow throughout the film.

In essence the film is almost a de-evolution of Max's beliefs. In the beginning he is very pro-company and really believes in what they are doing in the most altruistic sense, which is part of what makes him a great salesperson...visiting refugees in a refugee camp and convincing young refugees to donate just 5-10 years for the money to help their entire families immigrate. When his doctor wife is forced to give up 40 years after their home is burnt down...he starts to see things from a different perspective. Meanwhile there is an activist group who believes so strongly against this company and it's practices that they are willing to commit violent crimes like murder.

Interesting from a psychological perspective, I enjoyed this German Sci-fi film...not as much as I enjoyed the Dark series, but I did enjoy it. I think sci-fi fans will think it is a worthy watch, so it gets my recommendation.

My review is based on watching it in it's original German language with English subtitles.