Annihilation

8

AgentLviJul 21, 2023

Great movie. The story is decent. The scoring is great, visual is really amazing, the voice & sound is also amazing

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

8

DarkwingSchmuckMar 8, 2022

While never reaching the heights of Ex Machina, Alex Garland's follow up to his exceptional directorial debut still manages to be an engaging and thought-provoking work of science fiction in its own right.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

8

CarlElmoreNov 22, 2022

Some absolutely terrifying and insane visuals with a confusing story that's oddly engaging.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

TVJerryMar 2, 2018

Natalie Portman takes her whack at a sci-fi story, playing a biologist who joins a mission to penetrate the "shimmer" (one of the dumbest visual effects in recent films). She and a crew of 4 other women set out to find what's causing thisNatalie Portman takes her whack at a sci-fi story, playing a biologist who joins a mission to penetrate the "shimmer" (one of the dumbest visual effects in recent films). She and a crew of 4 other women set out to find what's causing this mysterious phenomenon, but they do so very slowly. There are some interesting visuals and one scary scene (the sloth-like monster), but most of its suspense is doled out with lots of anticipation and ominous music. Ultimately, there's a compelling creepiness that propels this puzzle forward, although at a glacial pace.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

All this user's reviews

7

TheQuietGamerOct 28, 2018

Alex Garland manages to create something that's deep, but not cryptic. Everything it deals with thematically is laid out in front of you through the conversations the characters have. There are still moments that require thought on theAlex Garland manages to create something that's deep, but not cryptic. Everything it deals with thematically is laid out in front of you through the conversations the characters have. There are still moments that require thought on the viewer's part, such as the symbolism heavy final showdown, but it's nice to see a sci-fi movie that strives to be intelligent without being vague. At least in regards as to what it all is supposed to mean.

The science side of it is where you're forced to draw your own conclusions. The film gives only the most basic of explanations as to what is causing all of the weird mutations found in the ever-growing "Shimmer" the cast explores. It's up to us to piece together why it's affecting things in the way that it is. I'm no cellular-biologist, but I think the reason Garland didn't go deeper on this front is because he knew there was no reasoning he could give for the things happening onscreen that would have any basis in reality. It's a pretty out there concept, but given how significant all the DNA talk in the movie seems to be it's a little odd that the whole premise would exist solely on McGuffin thought up to be little more than a take it at face value excuse for all the gorgeous weirdness onscreen.

While this leaves me with some mixed feelings, it does exemplify one of the movie's best traits; for something striving to be so thought-provoking, it's remarkably unpretentious. If anything it enjoys indulging in the gory, B-movie thrills that come from being a body horror that's part creature feature. One of the best in quite some time in terms of grotesqueness and tension. It has what might be the best jump scare I've ever seen and the entire lighthouse segment is nothing short of horrifying.

The visuals are mostly gorgeous. Light and bright colors are used to show off the natural and unnatural beauty of the strange new environment while simultaneously reminding us about the danger hidden inside it by capitalizing on the scenery's alien qualities. The weaker moments of CGI and a few noticeable green screens can make this feel somewhat low-budget at times. Nothing that really gets in the way of the movie, but something that stands out nonetheless. The soundtrack on the other hand is outstanding across the board.

Aside from dealing with the typical subject matter associated with the body horror, Annihilation is about depression, regret, self-destruction, and how much mental stress a person can endure before their minds break. It's all told in a very human way thanks to it's damaged protagonists, but the overall film isn't as engaging as it could have been. Mostly due to the pacing and manner in which the story is told. Especially in comparison to Garland's directorial debut, Ex Machina. I was never bored, but there are some unexciting stretches in the 2 hour running time.

While I don't think it was too complex for the average moviegoer, I can see why Paramount chose to avoid a full international wide-release. The fact that it's still brainier than your average movie made it too challenging for success in the superhero age of cinema. While having it's flaws, it offers enough traditional stimulation to keep one's attention. Another valiant effort by Garland to do something different in a time where that sort of courage is becoming less and less profitable.

7.4/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

drlowdonApr 7, 2018

A sci-fi horror film based on the novel of the same name “Annilhilation” follows a group of military scientists who enter "The Shimmer", a mysterious quarantined zone full of mutating landscapes and creatures.

Annihilation has a veryA sci-fi horror film based on the novel of the same name “Annilhilation” follows a group of military scientists who enter "The Shimmer", a mysterious quarantined zone full of mutating landscapes and creatures.

Annihilation has a very interesting central concept and features a host of excellent scenes, one in particular is so creepy it’ll haunt me for the rest of my days, but overall it doesn’t quite all come together in a completely satisfactory way.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

7

ernis_vMar 16, 2018

Part Stalker, part Ghostbusters, part the Twilight Saga Soundtrack, part The Tree of Life, part Alien.

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

All this user's reviews

7

Compi24Feb 27, 2018

Like writer/director Alex Garland's last effort, "Ex Machina," "Annihilation" -- for me at least -- is a rich, entertaining, and scientifically thought-provoking ride from beginning to. . .about ten minutes from the end. And though this one'sLike writer/director Alex Garland's last effort, "Ex Machina," "Annihilation" -- for me at least -- is a rich, entertaining, and scientifically thought-provoking ride from beginning to. . .about ten minutes from the end. And though this one's ending is definitely less of a buzzkill, there's still an overall sense of coldness and confusion that I can't seem to shake. So much of the film's first 90% feels so meticulously well thought-out and crafted. Whether its from a visual, thematic, or character-based standpoint, the majority of this movie rings true. It's just the last sliver of the running time that adds so much, yet explains so little, ultimately rendering everything into one of the most frustrating additions to the sci-fi genre I've seen in recent memory.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

All this user's reviews

7

ViolettJul 15, 2018

Pretty nice if you ask me. I like this kind of "Stalker"-movies, games or books. But while idea is great, this movie looks so ... unreal? I cant believe in Lena-Isaac story, I cant believe nervous girls were successful where soldiers failed,Pretty nice if you ask me. I like this kind of "Stalker"-movies, games or books. But while idea is great, this movie looks so ... unreal? I cant believe in Lena-Isaac story, I cant believe nervous girls were successful where soldiers failed, I cant believe they just walked without any special equipment (at least they had one binoculars with night vision). One of my favorite books is Roadside Picnic - about alien Zone on Earth - in this book everything looks so real, even if it just a book, there are no plot holes, compared to Annihilation. Still, if you like such kind of genre I can recommend to watch this - once.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

LeehamMay 31, 2018

The book it is based on suffers from a reliance on tension built upon an unreliable narrator - it doesn't work. Here, the film wisely doesn't get bogged down in that and the structure changes help keep the narrative perplexing not because ofThe book it is based on suffers from a reliance on tension built upon an unreliable narrator - it doesn't work. Here, the film wisely doesn't get bogged down in that and the structure changes help keep the narrative perplexing not because of it being incomprehensible but rather because it presents a case of someone trying to understand what is not immediately understandable between the walls of the narrative. Portman truly does elevate all that she touches and here she grounds the film with intelligence and a nuance usually absent from fare such as this. It's not quite in the realm of Arrival but it's worth a look even for its ideas alone.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

7

marcmyworksApr 13, 2018

Annihilation is one of those subtle, yet graphic sci-fi horror flicks like Under The Skin. It doesn't really ask for much or even give much. An interesting and beautiful watch, but really nothing spectacular.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

7

BeeceeFeb 26, 2018

The film is well-paced, the visuals are very striking, and it does keep up the suspense (although we know that Natalie Portman's character Lena survives, since the story is told through flashbacks). Natalie Portman does an expectedly goodThe film is well-paced, the visuals are very striking, and it does keep up the suspense (although we know that Natalie Portman's character Lena survives, since the story is told through flashbacks). Natalie Portman does an expectedly good acting job, and it is good to see this many women and minorities in a major studio release. On the other hand, Jennifer Jason Leigh generally speaks in a monotone, the multiple flashbacks are sometimes confusing and the film's conclusion isn't completely logical or satisfying.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

All this user's reviews

7

ozymandias79Sep 16, 2018

Annihilation is a slow-burn scifi thriller that takes place essentially in an alien world right here on Earth. The effects are great and the body horror and gore are awesome. This film should have appealed to the broad audiences of scifi andAnnihilation is a slow-burn scifi thriller that takes place essentially in an alien world right here on Earth. The effects are great and the body horror and gore are awesome. This film should have appealed to the broad audiences of scifi and horror movie aficionados, but Annihilation was only released outside the US on Netflix (awesome if you have Netflix and don't live in the States, and thanks for the 4K HDR). Not sure why SJWs weren't all over this. Probably because its good and not in your face with "look at us, we're all women, hell one of us is a lesbian!" Anyway, its certainly worth watching.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

Meth-dudeFeb 23, 2018

Although the dialogue was most of the time very cliché, the characters were stereotypical and the movie was predictable, it was still surprisingly enjoyable. The acting was quite good, the CGI effects weren't that bad and the movie wasAlthough the dialogue was most of the time very cliché, the characters were stereotypical and the movie was predictable, it was still surprisingly enjoyable. The acting was quite good, the CGI effects weren't that bad and the movie was entertaining. Sure, the movie had it's problems, but it's still a more than decent sci-fi movie.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

All this user's reviews

7

dangerfarMar 3, 2018

Annihilation is a captivating and slow burning fantasy/sci-fi that manages to overcome its narrative hollowness through a very strong audio-visual presentation, which especially in the last fifth of the film offers a uniquely rivetingAnnihilation is a captivating and slow burning fantasy/sci-fi that manages to overcome its narrative hollowness through a very strong audio-visual presentation, which especially in the last fifth of the film offers a uniquely riveting experience. The first 4/5 of the movie are, though intriguing, fairly ho-hum. Perfectly watchable as the suspense and mystery are well orchestrated, however many of the characterizations, scares, tension, and plot directions are heavily borrowed and often non-sensical from any viewpoint tied to the real world (hence more in the fantasy realm). It leans a bit heavily on flashbacks that don't hold much meaning, save for one which tries to explain a central theme in the story but gets the biology mostly wrong (or if being charitable vastly oversimplified), thus somewhat souring the note. The characters can at times be frustrating as well, taking predictably rash and irrational directions plucked from generic horror or thriller movies that have been recycled over and over. The last 1/5 is what really saved the movie for me though. It doesn't offer a particularly satisfying resolution or anything, indeed if I'm being honest the core plot itself even when brought to bare really is mostly derivative nonsense that merely pretends to offer insight and answers by vaguely making suggestions about dubious things like "refracting DNA" to move things along in a traditional sense. However the audio-visual presentation of the climax is absolutely arresting, and so well done so as to give one an a small taste of a psychedelic experience, a chance to with the right eyes peer into the nature of creation and the self in a way that is difficult to do without the right stiumulation. It drew me in completely during this sequence, so much so that immediately after it returned to normalcy I wanted to go back. It's a rare and precious thing in movies these days, and it was worth the cost of admission alone. Sound editing and design, cinematography and visual presentation, and acting by the ever charismatic and engaging Portman are all top notch. The rest is well executed but fairly forgettable and uninteresting. It is a rare experience that managed to leave me with a positive impression even as it mostly failed to deliver anything meaningful narratively. I will certainly return to those final minutes again on the smaller screen and marvel at their wonder.… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

All this user's reviews

7

KannibalMar 4, 2018

Annihilation is a solid film, it features some stunning high-points and drags during a few fallow periods all in all I wanted more from the movie but I enjoyed it. Annihilation will occupies space in you head for a while, in spite of its flaws.

7 of 11 users found this helpful74

All this user's reviews

7

Solid_SnackFeb 23, 2018

The movie and the book(s) are so very different, yet the book offers integral insight into what the movie is trying to achieve. I can see how the movie might fail some who didn't read the book. I'd probably have to see it again to reach aThe movie and the book(s) are so very different, yet the book offers integral insight into what the movie is trying to achieve. I can see how the movie might fail some who didn't read the book. I'd probably have to see it again to reach a more definitive conclusion.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

All this user's reviews

7

sjwilkinOct 4, 2018

I had no idea what to expect here as I went into the movie blind. What I got was a surprisingly tense thriller, drenched in sci-fi and some horror. It's fairly slow and theres not an awful lot going on but it manages to keep the tension andI had no idea what to expect here as I went into the movie blind. What I got was a surprisingly tense thriller, drenched in sci-fi and some horror. It's fairly slow and theres not an awful lot going on but it manages to keep the tension and kept me guessing what was going on. Some top performances from just about everyone involved helps the movie feel genuine.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

GunnerMcDaggetMar 17, 2018

This movie is very much a love/hate affair. On one hand the movie gives you amazing visual effects, an interesting premise, stellar performances by the mainly female cast, and excellent direction... On the other hand we have lazy writing, noThis movie is very much a love/hate affair. On one hand the movie gives you amazing visual effects, an interesting premise, stellar performances by the mainly female cast, and excellent direction... On the other hand we have lazy writing, no commitment to an actual conclusion, and no explanation of what any of it had to do with anything.

TLDR; a great movie let down by terrible writing.

Definitely worth a watch but don't expect much depth from the shallow story line.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

All this user's reviews

7

Mafia1Mar 17, 2018

The visuals are stunning. The plot not so much. The take of not explaining or simplifying keeps you curious. the gory stuff is just about right. a new idea at least for me that an alien invasion will not be about guns and destruction can beThe visuals are stunning. The plot not so much. The take of not explaining or simplifying keeps you curious. the gory stuff is just about right. a new idea at least for me that an alien invasion will not be about guns and destruction can be so much more scarier and invisible and uncontrollable.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

All this user's reviews

7

KeithDowFeb 27, 2018

"Am I you? Are you me?"

These are the pivotal words spoken late in 'Annihilation,' Alex Garland's directorial follow-up to his breakout hit 'Ex Machina.' The film is unequivocally high-concept--perhaps too much for its own good--in a"Am I you? Are you me?"

These are the pivotal words spoken late in 'Annihilation,' Alex Garland's directorial follow-up to his breakout hit 'Ex Machina.'

The film is unequivocally high-concept--perhaps too much for its own good--in a dazzlingly-shot, heady sci-fi thriller. The more one understands biology--specifically cell biology--the more one is able to appreciate how tightly woven the plot is, and how insanely clever and audacious the ending turns out to be.… Expand

5 of 11 users found this helpful56

All this user's reviews

7

thedaywalkerMar 19, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think it's a solid good movie.

It's premise keeps it interesting, with yet another fresh look at what an alien invasion could be. Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason Leigh were terrific, but other characters failed the get the attention they deserved. Josie (Tessa Thompson) is a great example of this, for most of the movie, seems like she is just there.

The score is beautiful, it just keeps you hooked. They just knew exactly what to give you in every single scene

The ending was so well directed, so well choreographed, the mirror scene between Lena (Natalie Portman) and the Alien was great, and it plays out well in the end where you don't know who exactly got out, the alien or Lena.

Very slow at times even more than needed and some visuals are very unclear, together with the explanation of the mutations and the flowers, maybe if i watch it again i'll understand, but at first i didn't understand 1 thing

I hope Alex Garland keeps making good movies like this… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

All this user's reviews

7

Dragonfly44Oct 11, 2018

It’s crazy. Mostly in a good way. Sometimes in a bad way. But, mostly in a good way. Mostly. Ish

Rating - 68%

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

JLuis_001Mar 15, 2018

I don't usually read many reviews of so-called ''professional critics'' because several times they don't manage to be as objective as I would like and in many cases they practically tell you the whole movie, but incredibly I was saturatedI don't usually read many reviews of so-called ''professional critics'' because several times they don't manage to be as objective as I would like and in many cases they practically tell you the whole movie, but incredibly I was saturated with Facebook and Twitter notes about opinions of this film and an interesting pattern was highlighted, and almost all mentioned the same: ''Annihilation, the film that was too smart for the audiences.''

To mention the distribution method the film got it seems irrelevant by now, it's already on Netflix so there's nothing to do anymore. I admit the film would had been a box office failure to have achieved a release in theaters worldwide but that has nothing to do with the film being ''too smart'' for the regular public, but it's because the film is indeed far from any mainstream standard.

I find ridiculous to label Annihilation as a film too smart for the masses, first because it's not and second because mentioning that kind of things is why these types of non-commercial films are completely ignored. By assuming that the product is smarter than the consumer this will inevitably catalog the product as snobbish and pretentious because by assuming the consumers didn't understand the film then you're automatically calling them stupid, even if it's not the case. That is why today ''professional critics'' are already considered tremendously irrelevant.

But speaking of the film, I must say the plot is quite interesting but far from complex, in addition to the fact that the film spoils at the beginning what happened to the characters, it takes away all the mystery to the subject because you no longer feel any link with them, you're just waiting to see what will happen to them and therefore all the narrative and character development is practically null.
Apparently all them have their secrets and dark sides but none of that is explored and therefore when they start to disappear from the screen and from the story you couldn't care less. But at least the most important mystery remains intact and it directs the film until its ending.

Of the cast only Natalie Portman has a real acting weight, the rest of the cast is disposable, I'm sorry but it's true, even Oscar Issac who despite being the trigger of the journey Portman's character, has no real relevance except with the ending.

I really liked the soundtrack, the cinematography, I listened to a lot of complaints about the CGI but I think that if you consider its budget it was quite decent, the production design is also of a very good level, it immerses you in the situation and becomes a real complement to the story.

At the end of the day I think Annihilation is a good movie, it's interesting and entertaining, not so satisfying but rewarding, personally I prefer Garland's debut; Ex Machina but I would recommend the film to anyone without hesitation and I would definitely tell them that it's not too smart for them.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

All this user's reviews

7

M1N5KMay 9, 2018

Paramount had make a good horror movie. What a surprise. Paramount knows what it's doing. Not extraordinary put absolutely not bad!

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

7

annbdJan 16, 2019

The 'I don't know' movie shows how stupid looking are the too many 'I don't know-s' answers. Visually stunning, great effects, nice to watch. It's not waste of time, because you see the potential - there is a big one. You can see how theThe 'I don't know' movie shows how stupid looking are the too many 'I don't know-s' answers. Visually stunning, great effects, nice to watch. It's not waste of time, because you see the potential - there is a big one. You can see how the imagination of the story teller has grown in the first 45 minutes and then suddenly stopped - literately you can see the end of this imagination.I hope this movie has remake, it would be very interesting Sci-Fi to watch, but now it is not finished.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

7

Tcurran2Feb 23, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Annihilation may not be entirely successful, but when it works, it really clicks. The last act's ambition was set for the stars, which is why it was such a shame to see the first 2/3rds carry on as a standard sci-fi schlock fest riddled with clunky dialogue and genre cliches. Coming off the success of Ex Machina, writer/director Alex Garland is probably one of the few individuals who would've been able to get this film made, being as strange as it is. The studio appears to have little faith in the project, as they've dumped the international release straight to Netflix. Substantively, Ex Machina this film is not. Though Annihilation's final images leave something for the viewer to chew on, Lena (Natalie Portman) and the rest of the group of female scientists assigned to investigate "the shimmer" are not nearly as compelling as Alicia Vikander and Domnhall Gleeson were in Garland's previous directorial effort. The mystery and suspense built up during the film's first act is quickly dissipated as CGI creatures come barreling through forest environments to pick off the group members. When Annihilation is subtle, it is at its creepy best. Unfortunately though, the script is nowhere near subdued nor intelligent enough to sustain compelling drama for the length of its two hour run time. The rumbling, ethereal sound design does most of the heavy lifting in providing the appropriate atmosphere. The operatic chorus that accompanies Lena and the squad's revelations is a nice touch. Largely how one will feel about this film is their reaction once Natalie Portman reaches the Lighthouse. I bought into it. Its creepy. Its disturbing. But most of all, it carries the film's intellectual heft. Self-destruction is the theme, but you're liable to self destruct yourself after trying to wrap your head around the film's final images. But that fundamentally is what keeps things interesting.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

All this user's reviews

7

AMFcriticNov 1, 2018

If I had to define it in one word it would be: CRAZY.
The special effects are not exactly perfect, but they're fine.
What bothers, is that the director puts in the background interesting characters and great performances as Tessa Thompson toIf I had to define it in one word it would be: CRAZY.
The special effects are not exactly perfect, but they're fine.
What bothers, is that the director puts in the background interesting characters and great performances as Tessa Thompson to focus all attention on Natalie Portman. 7.2 / 10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

SonrisasFeb 24, 2018

In a nutshell, an alien meteorite hits earth, thus creating a zone called the Shimmer. When you walk into it, you slowly become part of it. It causes super refraction of light and DNA and so if DNA mixes across species then each speciesIn a nutshell, an alien meteorite hits earth, thus creating a zone called the Shimmer. When you walk into it, you slowly become part of it. It causes super refraction of light and DNA and so if DNA mixes across species then each species picks up part of the other species. Usually people who enter end up dead or turned to dust or something. I would call this a thriller/horror/fantasy/sci-fi genre. I was very engaged even though the move runs 2 hours plus. I love Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason Leigh and both had big parts in this film. I had no idea how it would turn out. If you usually like Sci-fi/thrillers, I think this is your movie.… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

All this user's reviews

7

FilmanwaltDec 17, 2020

[Half the point counts.

(I liked Annihilation a lot better than Birdbox. The whole story about the shimmer was simply more interesting and better presented. The whole cast looks wonderful here and gives the film the necessary depth. The[Half the point counts.

(I liked Annihilation a lot better than Birdbox. The whole story about the shimmer was simply more interesting and better presented.

The whole cast looks wonderful here and gives the film the necessary depth.

The scenario is well staged and you really just want to see more of this world.

The end here is much stronger and also more impressive than the 0815 end from Birdbox. The whole thing makes you think and leaves clearly differentiated scope for interpretation.)

.stnuoc tniop eht flah]… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

7

Morze232Sep 19, 2020

It was a movie that really made life question, progressing in a slow tone, but it will be worth the end.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

7

AJ_13Sep 27, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. THE GOOD: Beautiful to look at, great performances by Portman and Isaac, fascinating concepts and ambiguous ending. More mature and risky than Ex-Machina.

THE BAD: Some poorer characters (it also happened in Ex-Machina) and I don't really know what message or conclusion to retain from this movie. I believe his previous film worked better as a whole.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

7

joshwashereMay 5, 2022

This movie is dripping with atmosphere. I really enjoyed the slow buildup, the acting, the character effects, and the soundtrack. I found myself keenly focused throughout the film, trying to figure out what was happening. That's the mainThis movie is dripping with atmosphere. I really enjoyed the slow buildup, the acting, the character effects, and the soundtrack. I found myself keenly focused throughout the film, trying to figure out what was happening. That's the main downside to the film - the ending left me with more questions than answers, and even reading online hasn't given me a concrete theory of what happened. I recommend this if you're looking for a slow-burning movie that prioritises atmosphere over plot.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

DukeJonNov 21, 2022

Go and see John Carpenter's "The Thing" instead. It's a much better movie than what's on offer here. A confused movie with underwhelming characters and a payoff which you can see 100 miles away. Not enough scares for a horror movie. NotGo and see John Carpenter's "The Thing" instead. It's a much better movie than what's on offer here. A confused movie with underwhelming characters and a payoff which you can see 100 miles away. Not enough scares for a horror movie. Not enough action for an action movie. Not enough psychology for a psychological thriller.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

6

TryASummersaultMar 5, 2018

3.1/5 Quite underwhelming other than the visuals honestly, and the epitome of style over substance. Plotting was quite nonsensical and directionless.Some very hollow acting other than Portman and some extremly unnecessary sex flashbacks3.1/5 Quite underwhelming other than the visuals honestly, and the epitome of style over substance. Plotting was quite nonsensical and directionless.Some very hollow acting other than Portman and some extremly unnecessary sex flashbacks injected into the film for nothing but shock value. Tried to be way deeper than it was. The only truly exciting scene was in the house with the mutated bear. Both this film and ex machina had extremely misleading trailers making the appear to be sci/fi horror’s and they were drawn out sci fi dramas that lacked anything remotely worthy of being hailed masterpieces. The whole supposed deeper message and symbolization interpretation that so many of these self proclaimed internet geniuses seem to have is quite funny and pretentious. This was a scattered mess with some really interests visuals which at times had some mediocre cgi.… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

All this user's reviews

6

moviemitch96Feb 23, 2018

Disappointing and underwhelming follow-up to Alex Garland's brilliant film 'Ex Machina' if you ask me. Definitely had some huge pacing issues and dragged quite a bit throughout most of it, with only a few moments of real intrigue orDisappointing and underwhelming follow-up to Alex Garland's brilliant film 'Ex Machina' if you ask me. Definitely had some huge pacing issues and dragged quite a bit throughout most of it, with only a few moments of real intrigue or excitement. The whole cast felt under-utilized, and even Natalie Portman had only so much to work with in her lead performance. Overall, like I said, it was definitely pretty disappointing on all counts, with a cast that deserved more of an intriguing story and script to work with, and a story that could've expanded more on its ideas rather than just toying with them.… Expand

9 of 16 users found this helpful97

All this user's reviews

6

eagleeyevikingApr 6, 2018

More vague than illuminating, "Annihilation" is captivating throughout but ends up feeling like it grasped more than it could hold.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

6

wollam11Feb 23, 2018

If you ever wondered what it would look like if an advanced alien race decided to terraform our planet right out from under us, look no further. It's as bizarre, disgusting, and beautiful as anyone has any right to ask for. It will definitelyIf you ever wondered what it would look like if an advanced alien race decided to terraform our planet right out from under us, look no further. It's as bizarre, disgusting, and beautiful as anyone has any right to ask for. It will definitely stick in your mind far longer than most movies do.… Expand

7 of 11 users found this helpful74

All this user's reviews

6

Voodoo123Mar 13, 2018

+Thought provoking sci-fi plot
+Great cast
+Excellent visual style -Pacing feels a little off I really enjoyed watching annihilation, couldn't help but feel this could've pushed to a 9 or 10/10 movie if the acting was a little tighter with+Thought provoking sci-fi plot
+Great cast
+Excellent visual style
-Pacing feels a little off

I really enjoyed watching annihilation, couldn't help but feel this could've pushed to a 9 or 10/10 movie if the acting was a little tighter with another director... Saying that it totally works and if your'e a sci-fi fan you owe it to yourself to check this gem!… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

All this user's reviews

6

AcaciaFeb 27, 2018

For the most part, this was a pretty good movie. Loved the scary parts and the story is very intriguing. I was totally feeling it all the way until the end when I just got a bit lost. Still not completely sure what exactly was going on orFor the most part, this was a pretty good movie. Loved the scary parts and the story is very intriguing. I was totally feeling it all the way until the end when I just got a bit lost. Still not completely sure what exactly was going on or exactly what happened at the end, but it was a bit out there for me. I thought the first at least 45 minutes were kind of slow for me. I just wanted the story to get going. Once it did get going, it was very engrossing and I was really along for the ride. It just kind of left me in the dust in the end.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

All this user's reviews

6

blastgordonApr 5, 2018

Not the best perfomance of Natalie Portman, and probably to expensive ... some effects are poorly and especially the scene which shows the outside of the house, CGI??? Its an awesome idea, but for me it was poorly written, it needs someNot the best perfomance of Natalie Portman, and probably to expensive ... some effects are poorly and especially the scene which shows the outside of the house, CGI??? Its an awesome idea, but for me it was poorly written, it needs some tension, when it’s building up, it is falling down very quickly. It feels like it is trying to find a claustrophobic feeling. It is overrated, I rather take my time to watch the first Alien movie the 100th time again!… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

All this user's reviews

6

ishadowMar 12, 2018

If you're even remotely interested, watch it on Netflix.
It's a weird movie, pretty much average in everything.
There's no highlights really, but bad moments aren't too often or important. It could better, it could have more logical plot, butIf you're even remotely interested, watch it on Netflix.
It's a weird movie, pretty much average in everything.
There's no highlights really, but bad moments aren't too often or important.
It could better, it could have more logical plot, but it doesn't matter in the end. It's a simple movie, with simple plot, and a lot of overused themes. You watch in anticipation for a big twist or something innovating, but you won't get it.

Pretty much very similar quality to Prometheus or Alien: Covenant. A bit more artistic, but same in the end.

I would regret going to cinema, but it's OK for a Netflix movie, especially with good HDR.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

All this user's reviews

6

MustardTiger4Feb 24, 2018

Feeling underwhelmed from this. Typically with a good sci-fi movie, I leave the theater thinking about the movie and it's implications in our daily lives. In the vein of Ex Machina's exploration of consciousness and artificial intelligence'sFeeling underwhelmed from this. Typically with a good sci-fi movie, I leave the theater thinking about the movie and it's implications in our daily lives. In the vein of Ex Machina's exploration of consciousness and artificial intelligence's need for humans, Arrival's dissection of time, and even Blade Runner 2049's creation of a feeling through the exploration of a consciousness in a dystopic future.

Here, we have what feels like a typical survival movie wrapped in some interesting biological science. The major difference is that, the plot of surviving feels more central to the movie than the human implications of this biological phenomenon. I think a good sci-fi movie should package this in the reverse, where the plot is simply the device they express their greater idea. This was absolutely lacking in Annihilation.

Maybe it's because I went into this with the expectation of an Arrival-like experience, that I left disappointed.… Expand

6 of 9 users found this helpful63

All this user's reviews

6

TrevorsViewMar 8, 2018

As it starts, Lena, a biologist, sits in a glassy room, questioned by a scientist in protection equipment who stands over her. She says she has no recollection on whatever just happened, compelling the viewer to remember events as she does.As it starts, Lena, a biologist, sits in a glassy room, questioned by a scientist in protection equipment who stands over her. She says she has no recollection on whatever just happened, compelling the viewer to remember events as she does. After photos in Lena’s sepia-tinted home illustrate her husband’s army life, he returns, devoid of previous recollection himself as to how he returned. Outside her own awareness, a comet strikes a lighthouse, warps its sense of shape or texture, then sets off an expanding rainbow bubble, its shimmery wall set to mutate cell reproduction.

Paralleling scene number one, Lena questioning her husband’s activity in war reverses her interrogation; she stands over him slumped in his seat. Once seated across each other at the table, held hands reflected backwards behind a water glass, his blood appears in said glass, the first sign of his multiple organ failure. Any focus on their eyes throughout this crisis implements whenever they witness obliteration, up until the last frame addresses all you need to know and all you wish to know.

I love underseen independent films like Annihilation, those following nontraditional narrative conventions to take creative liberties in discussing the inner human condition. Alex Garland already perfectly accomplished his breakout art-house feature Ex Machina, so now he brings out another visual delight in his second project, thus far the only movie of 2018 I’ve anticipated the release of!

Garland conveys his actors’ own bent genes, each performance almost appearing alien in a series unevenly blank appearances. Of the talented cast members, Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Inside Llewyn Davis) happily sells it best as Lena’s husband. His illness deflects his voice to transparently reveal the sad lack of identity in his eyes: a slow, troubled, very real war veteran. It’s easy to see why Garland works well off Mr. Isaac!

Besides Garland’s attentive direction, the work by production designer Mark Digby (Ex Machina, Slumdog Millionaire) symbolically suggests a DNA strand’s deconstruction and reconstruction. You always seem boxed inside a different world larger than life in the Shimmer’s chaotic colors chosen to suggest self-destruction in a stark contrast against Lena’s boxy interrogation room. Inside the void grows beautiful yet strange flowers living together on a single branch, despite being of diverse species, alongside some technicolor moss and man-shaped bushes. These outlandish mutations hold beauty, although plenty of gruesome, supernatural appearances never shy away from any bodily imagery in its graphic detail that catches you off guard.

But honestly, Alex Garland has got room for improvement, particularly in helping the typical viewer care about the story. The on-the-nose dialogue said by such cold characters also tosses out more expositional information than the average viewer could handle, especially in the first act, all writing the names in the script out to model figures of altered chromosomes rather than well-fleshed out people.

This excess of information attempts to counteract the lack of sincere emotion with a cliché catalyst of Lena’s husband leaving her alone, a plot device done rather weakly compared to other similar scripts. Further validating the cliché, Lena cheats on her husband, in turn making her less sympathetic—would you root for some unfaithful whore? I sure wouldn’t! Especially since Lena expresses few tangible opinions about her team of four other women in their mission through the Shimmer, older viewers might not embrace something as absurd as this journey into the unknown.

However, Annihilation still meets the expectations of art cinema lovers in Alex Garland’s near-horror approach. In each disorienting time narrative beneath the Shimmer, suspense eliminates clear signs of what happens next. Soon, after several attacks by a creature shrouded in darkness, a horrific faceless bear’s roar mixed with a woman’s screams leaves both everything and nothing to the imagination. These are not the types of images you’re able to forget easily, regardless of whether you want it to.

With these brave woman leaders who willingly face up to such horrors previously unimagined, they warn us all, of our eventual end as we watch their individual paths to insanity inside the Shimmer. Likewise, this alternate future’s continental board steers clear of personal demolition, suggesting that the damaged male leaders in the United States wrongly believe women are the true unidentifiable Extra-Terrestrials in the foreign land that is masculine privilege. Considering Hollywood’s confused gender equality nonsense, it deserves some compliments when a motion picture like this one empowers women without devaluing men; they remind us that if equal treatment to both sides is achieved, we have no need to fear an annihilation.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

All this user's reviews

6

Captain105Aug 6, 2018

The effects and analog in annihilation are stellar with lots of colors and monsters. A good movie isn’t just affects and monsters it needs a relatable storyline that the audience understands and this was lacking it. The shimmer has noThe effects and analog in annihilation are stellar with lots of colors and monsters. A good movie isn’t just affects and monsters it needs a relatable storyline that the audience understands and this was lacking it. The shimmer has no realistic laws and this makes it sloppy. At any point you can learn a new weird thing that has nothing to do with the movie. It was still going all right and interesting until we got to the end of the movie where (like all movies) it went down hill. I don’t think even the directors know what it means. Audience will love a movie if it is incomprehensible and will think it is brilliant, but I’m not so sure.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

6

Mitya64Feb 2, 2019

Интересная задумака. Но слишком затянуто, скучные разговоры, в некоторых местах плохая графика.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

6

whoischarlotteMar 13, 2018

Overall, I thought this was poor, after seeing 5 star reviews of a 'science fiction masterpiece' I expected big things from this film with what seemed to be a solid cast and good direction. But the film was a total headache.

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

All this user's reviews

6

JessTurnerMar 29, 2018

It's not a bad _beginning of a story_, if you ignore the uninteresting 'human interest' element that takes up most of it. And I now see that it is only the adaptation of the first of a trilogy. I'll watch the other two if adapted (which meansIt's not a bad _beginning of a story_, if you ignore the uninteresting 'human interest' element that takes up most of it. And I now see that it is only the adaptation of the first of a trilogy. I'll watch the other two if adapted (which means they probably won't get adapted).… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

6

CathexisArcanaMar 27, 2018

I like to keep my reviews brief and in list form, so I will assume the reader has a basic understanding of the movie's plot and and an awareness of the main cast. PROS:

-Interesting concept, and has at least a good sense of mystery at theI like to keep my reviews brief and in list form, so I will assume the reader has a basic understanding of the movie's plot and and an awareness of the main cast. PROS:

-Interesting concept, and has at least a good sense of mystery at the beginning. I like the general idea of a phenomenon causing rapid mutations / evolution in a contained area.

-Solid cast (if not entirely accurate, ahem). Although Gina Rodriguez was weirdly channeling Michelle Rodriguez for some reason. Still, it's Jane, so it's fine.

-There was a moment with a certain mutant bear that was genuinely creepy AF. Also, slithering intestines.

CONS:

-The backstory of Lena (Portman) is slow and nuanced to the point of being boring. She and her husband (Isaac) don't really have strong enough chemistry in the beginning to make us care about their relationship and what happens to them -- or at least I didn't.

-The visual look of the "Shimmer" was not effectively alien to me. It just seemed like a soapy, rainbow-hued veneer, like something you would see in a music video.

-Portman's ragtag team were not interesting or developed (even as supporting characters), and there was very little interplay between them to provide a reason to care what happened to them.

-The ending, while visually interesting, was entirely unsatisfying and inexplicable. Then again, I'm not a fan of the pretentious "so vague it's genius" tactic that some high-minded movies aim for. But the alien mime-off was still kinda cool...… Expand

7 of 8 users found this helpful71

All this user's reviews

6

ErikTheCriticSep 26, 2018

"Annihilation" does have ambition and some thought-provoking themes, however it is sometimes bogged down by excruciatingly slow segments that generate plenty of yawns rather than wows.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

Mauro_LanariJul 4, 2021

(Mauro Lanari)
Ovid's "The Metamorphoses" and not Kafka's "The Metamorphosis". Heraclìtèan change in the name of love.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

AWESOM-0Jan 27, 2020

Better the second time around, but still not that good. It kind of changes the basis of what the novel is about, not minor changes but major. I’m on the fence on whether it’s good or bad seeing as I was not a huge fan of the novel to begin with.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

6

AosaOct 30, 2021

Incredibly beautiful scenery that somehow makes the environment all the more eerie. I was so taken aback at how great this film looks visually. Although the concept is interesting, the plot did hold back the movie somewhat.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

gamer1234Oct 26, 2018

A shallow movie with pretentions of depth. Full of paper-thin pseudoscience and vague handwavings towards cosmic mind, as well as guns and monsters. Some cool digital art and some atmospheric scene setting, but altogether it falls far shortA shallow movie with pretentions of depth. Full of paper-thin pseudoscience and vague handwavings towards cosmic mind, as well as guns and monsters. Some cool digital art and some atmospheric scene setting, but altogether it falls far short of what it wishes it was. Given other people's ratings I really expected more.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

5

JoeCoolApr 15, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This film has some really nice visuals. Nothing like Valerian of course but nicely done for the budget. More women scientist trying to save the day nonsense. Having it take 3 years for the military to succeed at anything that could be perceived as life-threatening is an insulting bad joke. It's all metaphores for self-destruction and cancer and what not. I'm really not into metaphores for the sake of metaphores. No hazmat suits to go into the shimmer, absurdly long timeperiods pass but the batteries on the camera last a whole year. Too many things just don't make any sense.
The idea was interesting, I'd guess they could have come up with something better if they'd had a bigger budget, but it's pretty flawed to me storywise. Nice visuals so not a complete waste of time, but otherwise pretty meh.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

5

jazzy_jeffFeb 27, 2018

A great soundtrack and cool overall style don't make up for the disappointing realization that Annihilation is ultimately a very shallow film. You just think it's going to end up having more to say.

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

All this user's reviews

5

DodgerMar 14, 2018

This felt like a film that had potential, but squandered it in a weird predicatable twist and an overly arty last 10-15 minutes. Some of the effects and scenes were really well done, offset by some weird story line focuses and glaring andThis felt like a film that had potential, but squandered it in a weird predicatable twist and an overly arty last 10-15 minutes. Some of the effects and scenes were really well done, offset by some weird story line focuses and glaring and frequent plot holes.

If youv got Netflix and you like sci-fi give it a watch, seeing as its free, otherwise you can safely give it a miss.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

All this user's reviews

5

RealMuthaFMar 17, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. After "Ex Machina" I expected more from director Alex Garland. Annihilation is pretentious, boring and ultimately style over substance.

The premise itself is intriguing - there is an expanding supernatural Zone out of which nobody has returned, except for Natalie Portman's husband, who appears to have no memory of prior events. Portman herself is a university professor who presumed her husband dead.

However, everything goes downhill really quick. First, literally on the 3rd minute of the movie we are shown a comet hitting a lighthouse, which immediately eliminates any mystery regarding the Zone's origins, as it's clearly extraterrestrial. Then we are led to believe that the Zone has been expanding for 3 years already. And what has the government organization overseeing it done in the meantime? Perhaps, send a large-scale military/scientific expedition with lots of gear and vehicles? Well no Sir! They have only sent a few small teams, none of which ever communicate or come back. So, by the movie's events, the current squad consists of 5 suicidal women who barely have any relevant skills for the mission. And while all are "scientists", the only person who tries to do some research is Portman, who at least takes biological samples along the way.

And how our 5 girl-scouts act once they enter the zone is unspeakable. They go in without any protective gear(!) and only M4s for weapons(!!), with only Portman having prior shooting experience(!!!), follow no plan and just wander around wasting time(!!!!) and leave no marks to be able to find their way back, as GPS and even compasses don't work(!!!!!).

Besides the sci-fi-ish premise, the movie also has some horror elements, so there are obligatory scenes of a team member being snatched from behind, and one team member losing their mind and acting hostile towards others. The latter scene looks very lame, by the way. There is some suspense in the film, but not enough of it.

While Annihilation has some pretty, albeit low-budget, imagery, the story feels like its writer just came up with some creepy moments but didn't care to stitch them together in any sensible way. There isn't any sense in Thessa Thompson's turning into some sort of discount Poison Ivy and disappearing. There isn't any sense or consistency in the CG-alien's actions. Why has it "entered" Jennifer Jason-Leigh and obliterated her? Why hasn't it done so with Portman, and played some copycat game instead? The alien core can be burned to the ground with a single phosphorus grenade, really? Why didn't Isaac's duplicate (whose reveal was as obvious and predictable as possible) also burn down, while all the other alien constructs were destroyed?

The answer to all those questions is because the writer did a sh***y job, that's why. Unfortunately, Annihilation is a disappointment.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

All this user's reviews

5

twkonefalApr 20, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. None of the decisions these characters make any sense.

After years of the "shimmer" existing, they plow deep into it the exact same way they have since the beginning. Let's not bother sticking a hand in and pulling it out then studying the result. They say "... nothing ever came out". Throw something in, pull it out with a rope. SMH.

There are many other examples of characters making stupid decisions which constantly pulled me out of the suspension of belief and enjoyment of an otherwise interesting premise.… Expand

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

All this user's reviews

5

muldjordMar 12, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie should be called Assimilation, not Annilihation. There's absolutely no annihilation going on.
You'll hear the phrase "I don't know" a lot. Which is seemingly also what the script writers said whenever they asked themselves the question "So, then what happens?".
It's a tedious mess that has no idea what it is or what it's trying to achieve. Ultimately it ends with a whimper leaving basically no questions answered. But then again, I never figured out what the questions were to begin with.

Ugh... Waste of time. Ex Machina was amazing! This movie is just weirdness for weirdness' sake.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

All this user's reviews

5

BroyaxAug 3, 2019

C'est toujours une joie de retrouver Nathalie (en dehors de ses pubs Dior bien sûr) y compris dans un film décidément très bizarre, pas tellement dans le fond (assez classique finalement) mais dans la forme, intrigante, rampante et...C'est toujours une joie de retrouver Nathalie (en dehors de ses pubs Dior bien sûr) y compris dans un film décidément très bizarre, pas tellement dans le fond (assez classique finalement) mais dans la forme, intrigante, rampante et... mutante.

Un peu flippant donc mais davantage étrangement malsain que vraiment horrifique... c'est ce qui fait l'originalité du film précisément mais le dessert à la fois. En tout cas, nos cinq nanas vont voir de quoi il retourne derrière le "miroitement" et elles ne seront pas "déçues"... La fin et son rebondissement assez bidon ne tient pas forcément debout mais justifie le titre accrocheur, j'imagine.

Bien réalisé malgré ses décors un peu tocs, le film peine néanmoins à remporter l'adhésion et si son ambiance suinte l'alien, c'est-à-dire l'autre, "l'étranger" (mimétique et bordélique en même temps), sa lenteur et sa bizarrerie nous assomment un brin et ne nous convainquent pas vraiment.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

5

bkristmanMar 13, 2018

A film that tries to make you think you should like it more than you do just because it's 'artsy'.
Wooden,comatose uninspired acting and dialogue .
Starts getting interesting at the end but by then it's too little too late.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

All this user's reviews

5

SeussMyTubSep 2, 2018

It starts off real well, but like all Alex Garland movies, it peters out in the end.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

5

robbywarren93Feb 24, 2018

I'm a film nerd but this is a poor man's Arrival. First two acts are solid but the third act ruins it, completely predictable and unoriginal reveal. No wonder why Paramount was scared about this...

9 of 15 users found this helpful96

All this user's reviews

5

joshwallFeb 26, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pure silliness. The premise is great but the movie lands quite far from the book. Ridiculous end with a man in what looks like a rubber suit miming with Natalie Portman.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

All this user's reviews

5

TheBlurbMar 1, 2018

Alex Garland's adaptation of Annihilation is ambiguous at best. The film is loosely based off of Jeff VanderMeer's best selling 'Southern Reach' trilogy. The plot of the film follows the basic outline of around four experts entering theAlex Garland's adaptation of Annihilation is ambiguous at best. The film is loosely based off of Jeff VanderMeer's best selling 'Southern Reach' trilogy. The plot of the film follows the basic outline of around four experts entering the Shimmer to investigate the root cause. Natalie Portman plays the film's lead Lena, with Jennifer Jason Leigh as the psychologist, Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez, and Tuva Novotny.

The film is told in the perspectives of flashbacks and real time. This makes the viewer easily lose interest in the story if it it doesn't have some sort of consistent thread running through. One of the effects of being in The Shimmer is that you develop a form of dementia. After crossing over, the team awoke with no memory of what happened but deduced through food rations they had been inside for at least three days.

This would have been a very interesting perspective of story telling, however the time jump between the flashbacks, Lena's interrogation, and time spent in the Shimmer is so large that you can never fully get invested. The best parts of the films were when they were inside The Shimmer.

The set director created a world much like that of The Last Of Us with a seemingly constant growth of fungi. It's sort of explained that the rate of evolution moves much faster in this zone and therefore animals and plants take on an other-worldly appearance. Again, just as you are beginning to really get into these moments you are ripped out by a flash back or the interrogation.

On top of this, any time you begin to get a hint of an explanation as to what is going on you are pulled to a totally different scene. It get's more frustrating as the movie goes on because things just stop making sense. This makes it sound like one of those movies that you have to be an intellectual to understand, but it just doesn't make sense. It's almost like Alex Garland took the main parts of the book he liked and then tried to put them together with not much in between.

If you want to make an intriguing sci-fi movie, all the dots need to connect at the end. A lot of the scenes seemed either out of context or just very badly timed, moments that seemed shocking or intriguing were dropped or instantly switched gears. With all of this being said the movie isn't completely terrible.

In fact, the five characters we follow are portrayed very well by the respective actors. Each character had a slightly obscured past, after all this 'suicide mission' is volunteer, that you wanted to know more about. Unfortunately the film didn't offer much character growth for any of them, including the lead.

All things considered this probably wouldn't be your best choice for a movie date, but if you really wanna see it give it a shot. For this writer, the movie wasn't very intriguing as a whole and did many things that reminded me of other sic-fi's I would rather have watched. I understand what the director was going for but in all honesty, I don't feel it was achieved.… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

All this user's reviews

5

ProfPandemoniumMar 12, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The poor man's version of Arrival with a heavy dose of Hollywood Feminism. A women with an expertise in cell multiplication is enlisted to save her sick husbands life. Upon arrival she and 4 other women are sent into a near suicidal mission to find the underlying cause of an alien invasion on earth. So many holes in the underlying plot including a moment where the party realizes that going to the coast is the easiest way to the lighthouse where the hive of the alien species exists. Which bodes the question why didn't they just start at the coast in the first place?

To many holes in this poor boy.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

All this user's reviews

5

JDDallas1Apr 8, 2018

HIGHLIGHTS of this movie were all in trailer..and I get real angry when moive is hyped to be one thing (action flick) when it is basically another (head trip)..FAR more slow and cerebral than action. I was bored and disappointed. Tone andHIGHLIGHTS of this movie were all in trailer..and I get real angry when moive is hyped to be one thing (action flick) when it is basically another (head trip)..FAR more slow and cerebral than action. I was bored and disappointed. Tone and pace reminded me of The Arrival..if you liked THAT then by all means give this look..just IMO wait for DVD..maybe a 5 is a little unfair..but then again you got my money and time cuz you led me to believe this was gonna be an action roller coaster..and I was stoked for THAT.. not some lame kiddie ride… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

All this user's reviews

5

I4storysFeb 10, 2019

Meh. At some points, this movie seemed to be more interested in patronizing it's social justice/feminist messaging, the dialogue is often contrived, and Portman's performance is tepid, at best. It's only saving grace is the mysterious natureMeh. At some points, this movie seemed to be more interested in patronizing it's social justice/feminist messaging, the dialogue is often contrived, and Portman's performance is tepid, at best. It's only saving grace is the mysterious nature inherent in the storyline, which kept me watching...and the over-sized fauna of Zone X!… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

4

VDSMar 14, 2018

This started off in a very average fashion and went quickly downhill. The people in charge might have been under the impression they were making a ‘think piece’, but not so. This was Sci-Fi by numbers and lucky to even find a home onThis started off in a very average fashion and went quickly downhill. The people in charge might have been under the impression they were making a ‘think piece’, but not so. This was Sci-Fi by numbers and lucky to even find a home on Netflix.

It reminded me a bit of Arrival, insomuch as it was right up itself and adrift at sea on a plot of vapid tripe.

Natalie Portman’s unfortunate cohorts were just there as cannon fodder, to be gobbled up by a not unimpressive beasty. But this wasn’t the thrust of the story, which instead centred around a mysterious lighthouse (Scooby-Doo where are you?), a secret government ops team, missing soldiers and gene mixing aliens. Sound stupid? That’s because it was.

But the best stuff came at the end with super nonsense overdrive and some truly daft scenes between Natalie and the lighthouse keeper.

If you’ve watch the Netflix Cloverfield and then Mute, you’ll know what level of film making craft to expect here. But at least it wasn’t as bad as the uber-ultra hyped not in the least bit scary Veronica, which must surely win the inaugural Netflix Razzie prize.… Expand

6 of 12 users found this helpful66

All this user's reviews

4

DamnedThingMar 20, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Another one of those what ifs that could have been so much better with a more experienced director. One of the problems with Garland is that he's idolised as a voice of a generation and so carries a weight of expectation on anything he puts his hand to. Along with that, there's more a hint of fawning from British reviewers - so knock at least a star off Empire and Guardian reviews.

Ex Machina was relatively tight, set in a confined space with few characters, it did pose some good questions on AI, humanity, and ego, before setting them aside to focus on manipulation and thrills.

Annihilation is broader in scope but less interesting, less well structured, and confused about what it wants to be; tonally it shifts all over the place. It begins with a meteorite hitting earth. It carries a life form that replicates and mutates across species, as well as between plant and animal. Its effects are spreading outwards from the point of impact at an increasing rate, and the edge of its area of influence can be seen as a shimmer. Teams of people have gone into the 'shimmer', but none have ever come out.

Then one man does, except there's something wrong with him: he's bleeding internally and apparently close to dying. His wife joins up with a team going into the Shimmer in order to get to the source in the hopes that she'll find something that will help.

This is all standard fare for Science Fiction - it's kind of The Andromeda Strain meets War of the Worlds meets Contact meets Alien meets Deliverance; the basic set up could be told in minutes, but it takes forever to get its arse in gear. That's a big part of the problem, the film can't decide what tone to take - it starts off as a drama, then tries to switch up gears to being an adventure into the unknown before switching gears again to survivor horror before going for something trippy.

It just doesn't gel as a whole story, it's more a collection of influences strung together in a manner that's less than the sum of its parts.

Natalie Portman does well with a character who has to be strong enough to survive but who seems too often to be asked to play her part as over-wrought. She's fearless bringing down sharkgator, but that moment is the only one where she seems in command of herself.

Jennifer Jason Leigh rasps her way through things with scene stealing disinterest, which is at least notable. Everyone else is cardboard thin so that by the time they start disappearing one by one, as people in these things are wont to do, it's impossible to care either way.

Aside from Sharkgator there's a Cowbear auditioning for a sequel to the Revenant but it fails because it makes our 13yo boy laugh - this scene goes on far too long and is so clumsily handled that any necessary tension for it to work is lost in a miasma of hohumness. There's another faux Alien bit that's supposedly gory, but again the fakery can be seen a mile off so that when things happen there's no shock or disgust. The idea of an alien virus mutating DNA is interesting, but here it's just used as background wallpaper onto which has been slapped a generic story about a group of red shirts on a mission where things go wrong and they die one by one until there's a lone survivor left. The more interesting story to me was what was happening with Oscar Isaacs character. He turns up bleeding internally on the brink of dying but somehow manages to survive for months - what happened there? Was he being studied? Did they find a 'cure'? He's obviously been quarantined so they must have done tests, even at a cellular level there must have been some discrepancies? How come neither of them turned into tree people?

There are no shocks. There's no horror. It's a bit gory in one scene. There are no thrills at all. The pacing is clunky. It looks very pretty in one or two places.

This isn't so much a deliberately slow-paced film as a low energy one consumed by indecision. Paramount dodged a bullet by Netflixing it.

Meh!… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

All this user's reviews

4

GinaKFeb 26, 2018

I thought this movie was very mediocre. There was no chemistry between Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac, and none between her and the other women in the expedition, all of whom were more interesting as actresses and as characters. TheI thought this movie was very mediocre. There was no chemistry between Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac, and none between her and the other women in the expedition, all of whom were more interesting as actresses and as characters. The “monsters” were very derivative – I had time to think about all the other movies I had seen that were better (for example, all the Alien movies) and the alien area (or whatever) was not very creative either. I was not bored, but I wasn’t very interested or excited either. A great disappointment after "Ex Machina".… Expand

6 of 13 users found this helpful67

All this user's reviews

4

ScienceAdvisorMar 12, 2018

All FX flash, and little substance, wrapped around intellectual ideas that do not adequately tie together. Though the writer/director is hoping you cannot figure that out. It really starts to break down about half-way through when convienceAll FX flash, and little substance, wrapped around intellectual ideas that do not adequately tie together. Though the writer/director is hoping you cannot figure that out. It really starts to break down about half-way through when convience replaces continuity, especially with the environment of the anomaly. This continues the Netflix run of quantity over quality, unfortunately.… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

All this user's reviews

4

moviecritic68Mar 22, 2018

This sci-fi film was a real "yawner". The acting was sub-par and the story just dragged on & on. If not for some neat special effects I would have voted in the red area. Watching the reaction of the exiting audience I was not alone in myThis sci-fi film was a real "yawner". The acting was sub-par and the story just dragged on & on. If not for some neat special effects I would have voted in the red area. Watching the reaction of the exiting audience I was not alone in my disappointment… Expand

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

All this user's reviews

4

NBNEMar 12, 2018

Great premise, falls short. Plot just kind of unravels and doesn't hold together. As mediocre as this is - TONS BETTER THAN BLACK PANTHER!

6 of 14 users found this helpful68

All this user's reviews

4

OlivierPielMar 17, 2018

A mediocre effort to revisit Stalker by Tarkovsky. While the Russian master used Tchernobyl and the possibilities of supernatural phenomena to make us dream and dance around epistemology, the concept of nature and art, Hollywood only knowsA mediocre effort to revisit Stalker by Tarkovsky. While the Russian master used Tchernobyl and the possibilities of supernatural phenomena to make us dream and dance around epistemology, the concept of nature and art, Hollywood only knows the ham-fisted, immature and naïve approach. In one scene, Portman stumbles on a couple of deer/antilopes with flowering antlers (DNA echoes itself to create hybrids or alter egos) in the cliched moment of "this world can be beautiful too, you see"). This is supposed to pass as art despite the fact that many 6 year old have come up with the exact concept with her unicorns. Compare this with the scene of Stalker where the three learned men and the stalker fall asleep near a brook where human artifacts lay submerged under algae; a moment of exquisite melancholy.

Only the end sequence in the lighthouse has a brilliant visual scene. Jennifer Jason Leigh is also excellent, her impatience and taciturn air seem directed as much as the other characters than as to the whole enterprise… Expand

6 of 16 users found this helpful610

All this user's reviews

4

amheretojudgeMar 13, 2018

did it communicate with you..

Annihilation The far fetched idea is not only visible miles away before its station but even the priorities seem to fade off quite early before the scrutiny even begins. A smart adaptation with strict editingdid it communicate with you..

Annihilation

The far fetched idea is not only visible miles away before its station but even the priorities seem to fade off quite early before the scrutiny even begins. A smart adaptation with strict editing on writing section by Alex Garland is possibly the only reason why someone might survive this feature. But unfortunately as much as to-the-point and gripping the screenplay is, the execution lacks better editing as it chews on this slow pill for almost an extra half an hour (the runtime could have easily been of 90 minutes). Natalie Portman is devastatingly good and there is no flinching on that and on her supporting side Oscar Issac justifies its presence on the screen. Even though the genre depicts horror; which is on a head-scratching level (the "help me" cries will be enough for your nightmares) where even the elders might cringe on the seat, there are some genuinely good visuals that brightens the tone a bit. Annihilation is without a doubt no short on execution (Alex Garland hits perfect mark on executing the paper on screen) then whether it is to project a heart breaking action sequences or horror chills or even creative creatures but what it fails is on offering a newer perspective, better plotline and a good old tale.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

All this user's reviews

4

DovahKJul 2, 2018

Realmente parece más interesante de lo que es, se queda en película del montón diga de ver en televisión a las cuatro de la tarde en cualquier canal para rellenar el tiempo hasta el prime time

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

All this user's reviews

4

bobpotatoJan 9, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie starts with a spoiler for the whole movie. That made me very angry. The caracters are acting very unreal and
the end is one of the baddest ending i ever seen in a movie.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

4

MothmannJun 10, 2019

This is John Carpenter's "The Thing" in essence, in concept, story and some set pieces. Nobody really minds reinvention except when it has been done as poorly as this has. Very slow paced it was quite a drag with very little drama and takingThis is John Carpenter's "The Thing" in essence, in concept, story and some set pieces. Nobody really minds reinvention except when it has been done as poorly as this has. Very slow paced it was quite a drag with very little drama and taking much too long to get going. I give extra points for Portman's convincing performance excellent sound and for the delightful visual spectacle the movie was, and that's about all.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

All this user's reviews

3

preciouskikiMar 5, 2018

I must admit, sci-fi is not my thing, so if you are a sci-fi fan, you might enjoy this. As for me, I kept checking my watch. It felt long to me, with stilted dialogue and two many pauses in an already long movie. And I was put off by NatalieI must admit, sci-fi is not my thing, so if you are a sci-fi fan, you might enjoy this. As for me, I kept checking my watch. It felt long to me, with stilted dialogue and two many pauses in an already long movie. And I was put off by Natalie Portman still doing that breathy Jacqueline Kennedy/Marilyn Monroe voice. Although I am a woman and love seeing women get their fair share of action movie roles, I have to say: Why would the expedition team not include any males? In the three rows in front of me, I saw several people fiddling with their cellphones dozens of times, like practically nonstop. Maybe they were bored, too.… Expand

6 of 13 users found this helpful67

All this user's reviews

3

EludiumQ36Jul 14, 2018

Great concept and some of the execution was really good, but much of it was kind of dumb. Take for instance the all female team sent into The Shimmer. That's a bit too much grrl power and ultra-feminist to be plausible. The pace of the filmGreat concept and some of the execution was really good, but much of it was kind of dumb. Take for instance the all female team sent into The Shimmer. That's a bit too much grrl power and ultra-feminist to be plausible. The pace of the film and the wait-till-the-end-for-the-payoff was very similar to "Arrival" which I also didn't like, but wanted to. Look, I'm biased to like these sci-fi films but they keep failing to deliver and that's borne out in its revenue, only $32M domestic and not even released internationally. It also proves that Natalie Portman is NOT a box office draw, but who's surprised by that?!… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

All this user's reviews

3

ErimudDec 7, 2018

Plot holes, poor script, painfully stupid character decisions. I can't think of anything positive to say about this film. I guess the cinematography is good in some sections..

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

All this user's reviews

3

cas514Mar 16, 2018

good set up, good horror'sci-fi ideas, bad execution...Terrible casting with Natalie Portman, Im suppose to believe she spent 7 years in the army yet she looks like she can barely handle a sandwich. Yeah no.. The rest of the cast was wastedgood set up, good horror'sci-fi ideas, bad execution...Terrible casting with Natalie Portman, Im suppose to believe she spent 7 years in the army yet she looks like she can barely handle a sandwich. Yeah no.. The rest of the cast was wasted and not given enough to do. Should of casted someone that atleast looks like they can hold a machine gun.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

All this user's reviews

3

shoulderoforionMar 13, 2018

This gets a big no go from me, guys. This is SciFi 101 blown up into trying to be something it isn't, this isn't transcendent or even close to the same level as Ex Machina, this a boring Invasion Of The Body Snatchers rehash

8 of 16 users found this helpful88

All this user's reviews

3

RenovatiaApr 15, 2018

I saw this movie yesterday. The idea - the narrative - is good. The implementation is not. First of all the acting isn't spectacular or anything; Fairly basic. Natalie Portman does an OK job, but Jennifer Jason Leigh is so so.

What you needI saw this movie yesterday. The idea - the narrative - is good. The implementation is not. First of all the acting isn't spectacular or anything; Fairly basic. Natalie Portman does an OK job, but Jennifer Jason Leigh is so so.

What you need to know is that besides the narrative, again which is quite good, it's one of those modern male-unfriendly movies. It's about an alien crash site. Male soldiers were sent first, but they failed their mission. So now they send scientists. All of them women. But what happens next is that they wear militarized outfits and brought military combat rifles with them...

The movie refuses to be smart enough so they could send both scientists and soldiers. No sir, these days men, especially white men are too much for Hollywood. Needless to say the added value of a female-only "science" team with M16's was never shown, but that's how it works these days. In fact, at one point they were surprised one of them could actually wield a rifle (Portman was former Marine).

So the bad is the feminized picture, the often stupid dialogue and the overall bland acting. The good contains some action and a good (but Hollywood style superficial) story with a few nifty interesting details. But not interesting or nifty enough for you to see the movie again. Once is enough and I'm not sure anyone should pay for it.

I wouldn't recommend you to give it a go because of the anti-male undertone. It fits Portman's overly liberal political activism by the way. Also, it doesn't strike me as a main screen movie. It's more like a TV production to me. Besides all of the previously mentioned subjects, you need to know that this movie is a "slow burner". But it's not slow because it's so genius. Despite the interesting narrative, again, it's thinly implemented, so not much is said or done. The movie wanted to compensate with interesting shots instead, but I dispute the level of "interesting", so to speak.

Many slow burners aren't genius at all, despite the pretentiousness. Again, understand that this is a typical Hollywood movie: the main script was probably written in a day. Then a few more details are added or altered throughout the shoot. And that's it.

Too bad. A very good idea with an interesting message ruined by a poor implementation on a wide scale, as well as due to a politicized undertone. You can throw money at it for some special effects (no better than amateur Adobe After-Effects hobbyists on YouTube) and pay money to stars like Portman and Jennifer, but it didn't help.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

All this user's reviews

3

drippelFeb 27, 2018

Turned a very good book into a anti-male, multi-culti political statement. Good visuals but ultimately, extremely disappointing.

4 of 15 users found this helpful411

All this user's reviews

3

GittoploMar 20, 2018

Sci-fi thriller? Great trailer? Sign me up..

..and then I watched it. I do not remember last time I was this bored. Everything is ridiculous in this film but not in a good way. It tries to be like Predator/Stalker and fails miserably. WeakSci-fi thriller? Great trailer? Sign me up..

..and then I watched it. I do not remember last time I was this bored. Everything is ridiculous in this film but not in a good way. It tries to be like Predator/Stalker and fails miserably. Weak acting, poor plot, extremely tedious watch, scenes seem contrived, no sense of danger, no sense of anything. Bland Central.… Expand

5 of 11 users found this helpful56

All this user's reviews

3

wandering_droneMar 19, 2018

I has so hype for this movie because i read the book that this movie is, SUPPOSEDLY, inspired. I loved the book and i was hoping for a stunnig movie from the directer of the Ex-machina (one of my favoriete movie from 2014). What i get is oneI has so hype for this movie because i read the book that this movie is, SUPPOSEDLY, inspired. I loved the book and i was hoping for a stunnig movie from the directer of the Ex-machina (one of my favoriete movie from 2014). What i get is one visual good movie but with the content of one pseudo-intellectual **** movie. That ending was a **** mess. For the people who didn't read the book (which was completely set aside by Alex Garland), you don't have any idea of a great movie you could have had. The character of the biologist is so great in the book, but in the movie it was a **** cliche of a character. All the structure of the book, and the misteries of the area X are but better that in the movie. I know my opinion is greatly influnced by my apreciacion of the book, but, i assure you, that if most people had read the book the score of this movie was way lower.
ps(sorry for my english)… Expand

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

All this user's reviews

3

BooyahMediaMar 10, 2018

Confusing storyline and plot but amazing visual and audio effects, so vivid, bright and beautiful. but absolutely no direction with the first 30 minutes a total waste.

6 of 14 users found this helpful68

All this user's reviews

3

RockydogMar 17, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I usually like Scifi. However, keeping in mind that this is fiction there has to be some logic in the movie. For instance if small groups of soldiers kept disappearing why didn't they just send in like 200 tanks at once? Or since the Lighthouse is on the coast, why not approach from the sea? Also they were woefully under-equipped. How about for instance illumination flares? or something heavier than an M-16? I'm a Biologist and I can tell you that the "Biology" in the movie is simply a joke. 99.99999999999% of mutations are fatal. Finally, the acting was just terrible. All of it.… Expand

10 of 18 users found this helpful108

All this user's reviews

3

OrcfleshMar 17, 2018

This would have died at the box office, not because as some reviews suggest because its too avant garde ...but because its boring.
The characters are expendable and are devoid of any personality.
These are supposed to be intellegent people,This would have died at the box office, not because as some reviews suggest because its too avant garde ...but because its boring.
The characters are expendable and are devoid of any personality.
These are supposed to be intellegent people, but there decisions make no sense.
The actors try their best with a terrible script, but for all their efforts they cant salvage anything.
The story is predictable and formulaic.
The indoor sets are low quality, which is a stark contrast to the great open locations.
The green screen and CGI are poor in general throughout the movie,but more care seems to have gone into the effects in the climax.
There seems to be a trend among 'professional' reviewers at the moment, where anything they can latch onto and call cerebral is touted as a new dawn in cinema and a modern classic.
I assure you, this is not that movie… Expand

6 of 11 users found this helpful65

All this user's reviews

3

vince13612Jun 25, 2020

i fell asleep during this movie, i would rather wipe my own ass for 2 hours then watch this. so boring and forgettable, nothing special about this.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

2

Jes1310Mar 19, 2018

I loved ExMachina, which i tought was surprising, dark and added some new things to the sci-fi genre. This movie tries but never succeeds in the same things. The plot is poor, effects are ok (but nothing more) and the overall impression isI loved ExMachina, which i tought was surprising, dark and added some new things to the sci-fi genre. This movie tries but never succeeds in the same things. The plot is poor, effects are ok (but nothing more) and the overall impression is that this is just garbage. The first 30 minutes are irrelevant and could easyli have been edited out, without and effect on the movie.
Many times they do not follow up on earlier scenes and things just happen for no reason what so ever.
And without spoiling anything…. Are they afraid of sailing….

Netflix really needs to step up. Animated Carbon, Mute, Cloverfield Paradox and Bright have all been really poor movies. And I had some hopes for Annihilation, but this was just as terrible. Using are loosing it Netflix, and please step up asap.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

All this user's reviews

2

raporgiMar 13, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Its Alien and then some through the eyes of hack derivative director Alex Garland. Its boring and unentertaining. Garland pads out this crapbird with all sorts pointless musings. Portman gets blacked and via guilty conscience follows in the footsteps of her husband. Syfy channel level effects and not enough interesting goings on. Predictably the women turn on each other at various points in the movie only to get slaughtered.Dont waste your time its not even funny.… Expand

4 of 14 users found this helpful410

All this user's reviews

2

rhldrFeb 24, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I kept waiting, and waiting for a unique conclusion with such a meticulous setup. Nope. I did enjoy the music and the visuals effects, especially the last 15 minutes. But the rest was a mix of sci-fi, b-horror "don't go into the dark hole, but there you go", wrapped in a pretentious, intellectual blur wanting to be another Alien movie.… Expand

12 of 22 users found this helpful1210

All this user's reviews

2

RickBellMay 31, 2018

Highly disappointed in this overrated film. It was confusing, boring at many times, very unsatisfying outcome in the end. Totally puzzled why the critics raved about this weird pretentious flick. Stupid plot and stupid movie.

6 of 10 users found this helpful64

All this user's reviews

2

JudMar 8, 2018

It never ceases to amaze me how film critics are attracted to vapid and tedious films like this one, almost like their careers depend on them, but in self-abusive way. Lame from beginning to end, it attempts to liven things up by dabbling inIt never ceases to amaze me how film critics are attracted to vapid and tedious films like this one, almost like their careers depend on them, but in self-abusive way. Lame from beginning to end, it attempts to liven things up by dabbling in many genres: Horror, Action, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Fantasy, Thriller, Romance, Soap Opera and even Unintended Humor but fails at every attempt.
A cautionary note: if our Defense Department ever attempts to treat annihilation events like this one was, we are in deep trouble.… Expand

8 of 17 users found this helpful89

All this user's reviews

2

bobbymcdMar 17, 2018

Slow and boring. Watching it was almost torturous. Can't believe this is getting good reviews. One of the worst films I've seen in some time.

I think some critics are mistaking somber vagueness for profundity.

8 of 13 users found this helpful85

All this user's reviews

2

DoxdivaFeb 25, 2018

Don't waste your time on this movie..it's awful. The only reason I gave it a 2 is because of the soundtrack.

19 of 33 users found this helpful1914

All this user's reviews

Annihilation

User Reviews