The Pod Generation

This one kind of stumped me. I'm a fan of Emilia Clarke, I'm always down to watch any new projects of hers...and yet, something about "The Pod Generation" just seemed a little off to me. It was good enough overall, I didn't hate it. But the execution was so-so. Dialogue seemed clunkily-written and the overall pacing was too slow to fit under the traditional sci-fi genre. In fact, I'd classify this as a 'futuristic drama', more than anything. It has its quirks, but I didn't find it a romantic comedy, either. The repetitive dream sequences were thought-provoking but really went nowhere.

Emilia Clarke gives a solid performance despite her character's lack of backstory and depth. I think maybe that's what it's missing...the plot itself has potential but it never quite lives up to it. Mr. Chiwetel also gives a good performance, but there's no soul to this movie...aside from Emilia Clarke's truly radiant smile.

Just a set of confused parents-to-be, trying to sort out the rules and regulations around an AI-assisted "pregnancy" (via a Pod, hence the title). Alas, it was a great premise. As others had said, it would've made a stellar story for the TV show Black Mirror. (I would award automatic bonus points if Emilia and Chiwetel had still appeared!)

The Pod Generation isn't perfect and the responses have been pretty mediocre and low from the general public and critics but personally, I thought it was decent.

The movie explores an interesting narrative concept about the futuristic world of artificial wombs or pods with some beautiful futuristic production designs and make-up throughout. The camerawork is pretty good with the colorful lightening, settings, designs and special effects helping to add the futuristic setting and environment. With an solid soundtrack and direction as well.

The narrative is interesting and does provide some strong elements about human evolution and technology together. However, some of the narrative themes does feel a little preachy and inconsistent regarding it's message and social commentaries that is is trying to explore. The performances from Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor are pretty great and the two of them have surprisingly pretty good chemistry between on another.

One of the weaker elements are the characters as the characters aren't as fully interesting or engaging to connect with as much. There are some decent dialogue moment as well. Some of the pacing could have been improved.

Overall, it's decent.

I can't remember the last time I watched a movie with as little conflict or drama as 'The Pod Generation'. Did they just think that their concept was so original and interesting that they didn't even need to add a hook of any sort to the script? It's really bizarre to watch. There is nothing at stake in the film. Nothing to look forward to or anticipate or even think about. The film just plods along for 100 minutes of nothingness.

The only thing that saves it from being completely unwatchable is the charisma of its two leads. About all you can really do is sit back and peacefully enjoy their interactions and screen time. If that sounds like a nice time to you, you might just enjoy this film.

'The Pod Generation' is a film completely unwilling to step out of its own comfort zone. The concept is mildly interesting (for the first 15 minutes) and that's about it. A generous 5/10.

It's late 21st century New York City. Humanity is slowly divorcing itself from nature. Alvy Novy (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is studying the unusual field of horticulture. His wife Rachel Novy (Emilia Clarke) is more normal. She gets an opportunity to have a child through the latest version of the pod. It's an artificial form of gestating their baby.

Initially, I'm 50-50 with this premise. Sci-fi often does these big swings and they don't always make sense. I don't completely buy this world. Slowly, the movie gets a bit more quirky and ridiculous. It starts injecting a comedic tone. It's funny but not laugh out loud funny. It's a small sci-fi which is likely to be lost in the mix unless one is searching for some Ejiofor or Emilia Clarke.

This concept was really interesting...for the first 15 minutes. Sadly, they decided to go the super safe, PC route and have a social commentary on things like how a man carries the baby pod. The dialogue is akin to a bad podcast that questions the validity of child rearing vs pod rearing.

This concept could have been an awesome horror movie or sci-fi thriller where pod babies go wrong. Like a black mirror episode on the wrongs of growing a human in a pod, instead it's literally nothing.

The set design was okay, but besides that there's no chemistry, no intriguing storylines and what you get is 1 hour and 50 minutes of watching paint dry. Hope someone does a horror version of this though! Because that would be watchable. 3.8/10.