Preview Movie Review

Jupiter Ascending
PG-13
Entertainment: +3
Acceptability: +1

Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne. Written & directed by Andy & Lana Wachowskis (known for The Matrix).

FILM SYNOPSIS: Jupiter (Kunis), a young Russian immigrant, works as a maid in a Chicago hotel cleaning toilets. When her cousin tells her she can sell her eggs, it looks like her chance to fulfill her dream of owning a telescope. Just before the procedure, suddenly out of nowhere, she is literally scooped up by Caine (Tatum), an alien sent to transport her to another planet. The next two hours we follow the two journeying through space as sibling rulers of other planets compete to make her their queen. Huh?

PREVIEW REVIEW: This film is a hodge-podge of confusion. It carries fantasy beyond any comprehension and makes Star Wars look like The Waltons, but its special effects are outstanding and beautiful. Jupiter and Caine travel through space powered by nothing but Caine’s magical skate like boots. Monstrous space ships transport the two on to various planets competing to control Earth. The eldest, played by Eddie Redmayne (Oscar nominee for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything), prepares for this hotel maid to become his queen, as if she is the key to control Earth. Beautiful photography helps the medicine go down, but two long hours of trying to figure out the story is tedious. The aliens’ pointy ears are all that distinguish them from humans. In all fairness, the teenager who came with me and other teenagers leaving the screening loved it, which explains the +3 entertainment rating. It will probably do well opening week end at the box office.

Jupiter’s birth mother is murdered in the opening scene, and some very intense battles in space and on the space ships among aliens are frequent but bloodless. Ruthless, power-hungry warriors have no morals or spiritual guide – just greed. A hint of a romance develops between Jupiter and Caine, who protects and stays with her on her space journey. There is no sex, however. Jupiter’s Russian family is portrayed as hard-working and supportive of each other. When her aunt hears of Jupiter’s plan to sell her eggs, she is horrified, exclaiming that her niece is not a chicken. Once full rear nudity of Jupiter occurs as she prepares for her forced marriage to Belam. What offensive language there is can barely be heard over the action. The villains’ behavior is seen as just that. There is a distinct divide between good and evil.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Warner Bros.

Summary
Crude Language: A few “hells” “damns” from Jupiter’s Chicago family
Obscene Language: One s-word.
Profanity: None
Violence: Brutal murder briefly shown in opening scene; many battles in space, explosions, life-threatening attacks; too intense for young children, but no blood
Sexual Intercourse: None
Nudity: Full rear nudity once of Jupiter on space ship.
Homosexual Conduct: None
Sexually Suggestive Action/Dialog: None
Drug Abuse: None
Other: Space is depicted as Godless with aliens fighting among themselves to rule the universe; young woman willing to sell her eggs for money
Running Time: 127 minutes
Intended Audience: Teens and SciFi fans