Captive State isn’t your normal, run-of-the-mill alien invasion movie. Truthfully, it’s not too interested in the invasion. It’s more motivated by the rebellion rising up against it. While guilty of being a little incoherent, this audacious thriller never loses its weird but cool unearthly elements nor its drive to be different – making it all the more intriguing and unpredictable.
An extraterrestrial force has run amok on Earth, draining it of its resources while pretending to represent unity and peace. The story takes places in Chicago nine years after first contact, and the aliens have become the rulers of the land while the human race has been forced to choose sides. Those who cooperate with them call them the “legislators” and the rest who want to put an end to their reign call them “roaches.”
Gabriel Drummond (Ashton Sanders) and his brother Rafe (Jonathan Majors) are no question apart of the latter of the two. Rafe is a resistance legend who is presumed dead while Gabriel is following in his footsteps on continuing the fight with these unwanted visitors. Sanders puts in a solid performance as does the incomparable John Goodman who plays Commander William Mulligan. He’s a former police officer who is now in charge of putting a stop to the latest so-called terrorist group known as Phoenix. At the same time, he carries a responsibility for Gabriel and Rafe due to their father and him being partners back in the day. Unfortunately, they’re not all on the right side of this war.
Captive State doesn’t lack suspense and impressively upholds a constant feeling of the unknown. It’s no dummy as its political undertones and call to action for those who are thought to be dispensable echoes with pertinence. And as everything snaps together, the thriller shows its true self in a rewarding reveal. Director Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) has big ideas that perhaps aren’t shown as clearly as planned; however, his effort is applauded by not taking the easy way out and presenting a smart, sly sci-fi flick.
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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