Romantic, sci-fi thriller adapted from the novel by Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, starring Saoirse Ronan and directed by Andrew Niccol (Gattaca). Movie times and read more.
Come back Bella and Edward – all is forgiven. Yes, anyone who thought the Twilight quintology represented a low-tide mark in 21st century cinematic storytelling (and let’s be honest, Eclipse was pretty awful), prepare to be shocked by this empty-headed sci-fi shocker.
Not only does author Meyer revisit Twilight themes (Sparkly creatures? Check. Girl caught between two worlds and two boys? You betcha), but Ronan essentially finds herself replaying her Hanna role (with Diane Kruger replacing Cate Blanchett as the Terminatrix determined to capture her) and Niccol seems attempting to remake Gattaca as a teen romance with added soft focus.
However, if the deja vu don’t get you (it feels like elements of Falling Skies, Starman, The Island and This is Not My Life have been put in a blender and mulched into a schmaltzy, sappy pulp) then the portentous and pretentious dialogue, the worst use of voice-over since Jason Statham in Revolver and the repeated slapping of Ronan will.
Seriously creepy (and not in a thrilling way), Meyer’s foray into alien invasion reminds one of a sub-par original Star Trek episode. Most chillingly, there’s talk of sequels, which in a world where I Am Number Four and Tomorrow, When The War Began have been denied such opportunities, would appear horrifically unjust. Only you have the power to stop this.
