Space carries countless elements of the unknown, but Life does not contain a single one of them. The sci-fi blockbuster has some spellbinding parts, but as a whole, it’s spinning around on an axis of repetitiveness, eclipsed by bigger, better alien movies. Director Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, Child 44) isn’t helping by leaving you dizzy, practically throwing the camera around where gravity doesn’t exist, hoping the audience can keep up. Well, then don’t mind the puke floating around either pal.
At a very fancy international space station, the Mars Pilgrim 7 Mission’s crew is ready to get a hold of some samples from Mars. Throughout movie history, nothing good has EVER come from that wretched red planet. And in no time, this little bitty organism goes from fascinating to frightening. From there, as smart as these characters should be, this thing makes them look like dummies.
Amazingly, Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal, both charismatic and charming men, agreed to partake in mediocre roles that are unfit for their enormous talent. Reynolds, still not able to shake that Deadpool wit, plays a mission specialist named Rory Adams. Gyllenhaal is David Jordan, a former soldier who prefers to remain up in the stars as a medic. Joining them is Rebecca Ferguson as Miranda North, the official safety police for disease and prevention. However, her true love is with protocols and preparing for the absolute worst outcome to occur.
There’s a Soviet astronaut named Ekaterina Golovkina (Olga Dihovichnaya) leading the way, but command of the station changes every few minutes once the beast is unleashed. Also on the team is Sho Murakami (Hiroyuki Sanada), who has the worst timing in becoming a proud new daddy. Plainly, these dire circumstances aren’t ideal for him and his new family. And Hugh Derry (Ariyon Bakare), a paraplegic scientist with no constraints in space, and the unlucky bastard who first comes in contact with Calvin. Sorry, I forgot to mention that demon has a name. Hugh’s hand is only the beginning of its dreadful damage.
Life isn’t terrible, but its horror factor and ending doesn’t shock. Blame directors like John Carpenter and Ridley Scott for already blowing our minds decades ago. I’m grateful for the glimpses of something original, and Life needs to appreciate the top notch cast it undeservedly attracted. A slice of forgettable sci-fi is what we’ve been served.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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