Annihilation

2

SexyMangoMar 12, 2018

To everyone saying the movie is deep. I’m glad you liked it. It felt to me like someone got really impressed by DMT and failed to recreate his experience.

7 of 15 users found this helpful78

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2

realperson2018Jul 11, 2020

Ponderous and slow in its delivery and lacking any actual resolution to satisfy those who have waited for a grand reveal or brilliant insight, this movie is simply pretentious hogwash with truly wonderful visual imagery. The cinematographyPonderous and slow in its delivery and lacking any actual resolution to satisfy those who have waited for a grand reveal or brilliant insight, this movie is simply pretentious hogwash with truly wonderful visual imagery. The cinematography and visual direction are brilliant, but they cannot make up for the lack of any solid story telling or any fully realized characters. They all seemed to be walking through a deep depression.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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2

geodeoMar 14, 2018

Terrible film - watching a all female cast is as interesting as watching an all male cast (sarcasm). Film has no real build up of suspense, characters that are stereotype and where the acting is obvious and the only interesting component isTerrible film - watching a all female cast is as interesting as watching an all male cast (sarcasm). Film has no real build up of suspense, characters that are stereotype and where the acting is obvious and the only interesting component is rushed in the last 10 minutes rather than exploring the topic in depth. For such a nihilistic title - the reasoning behind the visit seems more plausible, realistic and less menacing than the spectacular headline.

A fail unless quotas for all female cheesy sci fi is important to your viewing pleasure.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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2

ManutddabestFeb 28, 2018

Why is an Oscar winner acting in this heap of thrash. Cheap effects and lousy storyline. For real sci fi, watch Underworld. I support Man Utd!

3 of 12 users found this helpful39

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2

billb3469Feb 23, 2018

I'm a casual movie goer and not a professional reviewer. Here are some of my thoughts.

Science: Refraction of a wave only alters it's direction through a medium. The idea that DNA would be combined with other surrounding DNA because ofI'm a casual movie goer and not a professional reviewer. Here are some of my thoughts.

Science: Refraction of a wave only alters it's direction through a medium. The idea that DNA would be combined with other surrounding DNA because of Refraction makes no sense. Science Grade F.

Logical Character Actions: The gov't has been trying to figure out the shimmer for 3 years. No one comes out alive. A. Why would the Army send in the wife of a KIA soldier?
B. Why didn't the Army send in a monkey in a cage for 1 second and then pull it out and test it? Then do it for 1 minute? Then 1 hour?
C. Electronic equipment doesn't work in the Shimmer. Ok, why not buy a Polaroid camera on ebay and get a long pole and push it in there and snap a few pictures and pull it out?
D. The expedition couldn't remember what happened the day before. Why not take out a notepad and pen and write down a log?
E. The 4 women that are on the expedition seem like poor choices for this Save the World mission.
F. Why did the Army use those Hi-8 video cameras for recording? If you can record on magnetic tape, you can record on a cell phone and bring a USB charger.
LOGICAL Grade: F

Ok, so let's forget the Sci-Fi and the illogical plot. How were other aspects of the movie?

Script, Direction and Acting: Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason Leigh were a major reason I went to see the movie. How was it possible to make both monotone, unemotional, and boring? The script left them with boring conversation and thoughts. The director took almost all emotion out of them. Portman's husband was not developed enough for me to care about his character. I didn't know him to start, the gave me more info, but I never was invested in him.

One of the worst things about the movie is the end. After sitting through the entire movie, a little fire destroys the world threatening shimmer problem and saves mankind. That's the pay off that had me stand up and say "I've been fooled by the critics again, shame on me". It had me wondering why the Army hadn't previously shot a Rocket Propelled Grenade into the shimmer or a bomb. How fortunate that a forest fire didn't start and destroy the shimmer.
How fortunate nobody sent in was a smoker or started a camp fire.
The only thing the Army could figure out was to send in people who never came out. Then send in more people and more people. For THREE YEARS.

Script: Grade F.
Direction: Grade F.
Acting: Grade C.

OTHER: Various DNA combinations led to special effects that were very good and interesting.
OTHER grade: B

Overall, I can't say it was a complete waste of time. However, I wish I would have chosen a different movie to see at the theater, eventually seen Annihilation at home and not spent $14 a ticket on it.

The more I think about it, I feel 1 star would be more appropriate than 2 stars. However, I'm not going to think about it.… Expand

13 of 37 users found this helpful1324

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2

CharlieSGFeb 23, 2018

This was just a very sad movie, all around. The trailer was excellent but what they showed there, were the highlights...period! Very much a dead teenager movie, with a little Alien thrown in to keep it even more predictable.

10 of 21 users found this helpful1011

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2

Chriss6277Mar 22, 2018

This is the perfect example of a flashy movie that tries way to hard to prove that is something more and deeper than that. Very predictable and unoriginal.
Appreciated efforts in special effects but not enough to save the movie.

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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2

Gamzguy17Aug 22, 2021

Nothing is remotely scary or destructive in this film entitled "Annihilation". All characters/performances, particularly from lead Natalie Portman, are extremely weak and unnaturally stiff. The choices in sound design and special effectsNothing is remotely scary or destructive in this film entitled "Annihilation". All characters/performances, particularly from lead Natalie Portman, are extremely weak and unnaturally stiff. The choices in sound design and special effects don't do it any favours with creatures that look ripped off from crummy early 3D video games and a villain who speaks in deep wah-wah bass. I'm talking about the frequency, not a voice. It's laughably bad. Finally, to top it all off, the film believes it has succeeded in telling a psychedelic existentialist story, expecting the audience to question about life and the unknown once its credits roll.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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1

MikefromAngusFeb 27, 2018

One of the WORST science fiction movies I ever seen. The movie is so illogical, it makes a comic book genius compare to this movie. But the comic book movie is fun to watch unlike this movie.

7 of 19 users found this helpful712

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1

MikComposerJul 29, 2023

Interesting concept is destroyed by a total gender swap making it one of the most unbelievable movies I have ever seen. It feels like watching larpers pretending to be highly trained military. Also it became so revolting I stopped watchingInteresting concept is destroyed by a total gender swap making it one of the most unbelievable movies I have ever seen. It feels like watching larpers pretending to be highly trained military. Also it became so revolting I stopped watching 1/3rd in to the film so I can't tell much about where the story went and weather it was any good.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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1

AmacfaNov 30, 2020

I’m pretty open minded. I liked ad astra even though it was a bit boring.

This movie, however, I cringed all the way through. It’s like a lifetime movie. Normally I’d recommend even a bad movie for a few good scenes, this movie sucked, II’m pretty open minded. I liked ad astra even though it was a bit boring.

This movie, however, I cringed all the way through. It’s like a lifetime movie. Normally I’d recommend even a bad movie for a few good scenes, this movie sucked, I can’t remember a single scene that was good.

It’s literally a lifetime sci-fi movie. Too much emotion, focus on relationships, cheating. Jesus this is bad. Instead of panning shots on the world and how it changed, they focus on each other relationships and boyfriend issues.

BAD… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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1

Qgal5kapMar 14, 2018

This was pretty bad... It's quite boring, so you'd better have something else to do while watching. Like sorting nuts and bolts, or wrapping coils for your e-cig.

4 of 13 users found this helpful49

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1

shermyFeb 26, 2018

I went to see it because of the good ratings. But the acting and dialogue were poor. The story-line lacked a backbone. The movie was filled with two things, Natalie Portman frowning and shooting her AR-15, and second rate CGI. I think thatI went to see it because of the good ratings. But the acting and dialogue were poor. The story-line lacked a backbone. The movie was filled with two things, Natalie Portman frowning and shooting her AR-15, and second rate CGI. I think that the plot was defective because you never could get a clear vision of the adversary. It just seemed like an amalgam of random special effects and strange uninteresting life forms.

They even threw in some generic sex scenes that had just about nothing to do with the plot (and almost nothing to do with sex).

The last time I saw a movie this bad was "Lobster".… Expand

8 of 18 users found this helpful810

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1

ThomassJun 23, 2018

God awful. A mismatched stew of half considered ideas and themes combined with cheesy special effects that cannot be taken seriously. No theme or message dominates, just a collection of pseudo-scientific pretentious trash. I cannot believeGod awful. A mismatched stew of half considered ideas and themes combined with cheesy special effects that cannot be taken seriously. No theme or message dominates, just a collection of pseudo-scientific pretentious trash. I cannot believe the makers weren’t laughing at the positive reviews. Seriously, I would vote it worst movie I have ever seen. If Natalie Portman has to do this sort of movie nonsense we should take up a collection for her. Characters fly in and out, then come back again after they died in prior scenes. Heavy on the gruesome scale but the special effects had me laughing by the end. Should have rated it zero.… Expand

6 of 11 users found this helpful65

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1

sy19890515Nov 18, 2019

So, the shimmer refracted everything, that could explain the facts about radio waves and signals, but how does it explain the compass? sure if you say that the magnetic forces are refracted as well, but why didn't it refract gravitationalSo, the shimmer refracted everything, that could explain the facts about radio waves and signals, but how does it explain the compass? sure if you say that the magnetic forces are refracted as well, but why didn't it refract gravitational force and Van der Waals force? why are they still standing on the ground? why is everything still keeping togethre instead of shattering into molecules?… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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1

BitashApr 16, 2022

One of the wriest movies I have watched in a long time and it had well known cast. I guess the money went to hiring the actors since the CGI was so awful and poor. Some of the scenes looked like Halloween in Knots berry farm. The bear sceneOne of the wriest movies I have watched in a long time and it had well known cast. I guess the money went to hiring the actors since the CGI was so awful and poor. Some of the scenes looked like Halloween in Knots berry farm. The bear scene was sooo bad and awful. Just not believable and it made me laugh. I’m like nooo way this is so bad.
One scene Thessa Thompson turns into some sort of a tree and slowly walks away!!! No joke! It’s that bad, just watch it and you will see it’s laughable!!!! How they even release such awfulness.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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1

JlarFeb 23, 2018

This was one of the the most pretentious and awful Sci Fi horror'esque movies I have seen in a long time. Save your money. Terrible casting, Jennifer Jason Leigh is so bad I actually almost fell asleep. The rest of the supporting cast isThis was one of the the most pretentious and awful Sci Fi horror'esque movies I have seen in a long time. Save your money. Terrible casting, Jennifer Jason Leigh is so bad I actually almost fell asleep. The rest of the supporting cast is terrible. Terrible dialogue as well. One scene in particular with Portman and her colleague in a private moment actually made me laugh out loud. That never happens to me. The movie has no idea what it wants to be. The ending is NOT thought provoking, it's lazy, under developed and full of superficial substance leaving the innards as hollow as can be. I didn't even pay to see this and felt robbed. This is coming from a life long sci Fi and horror junkie. I loved ex machina but this was a huge let down. What is wrong with critics? If they are rating the movie based on visual aesthetics and a diverse cast meaning ladies only, then sure this is an 8 out of 10, but when digging deeper, this is a hollowed out experience with little substance, much like the majority of new theatrical IP we are seeing today. This was a mish mash of ex machina, the thing, predator, the arrival etc... You're better off sticking to those movies, they did it better...1/10 for me.… Expand

22 of 48 users found this helpful2226

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1

RudygerDec 11, 2018

I hate this kind of movie. Everything is so artsy and pretentious. The plot is pushed back, far behind ultra-feminism, SJW agenda, and gibberish philosophy. It's the kind of movie people don't admit they don't like, because otherwise theyI hate this kind of movie. Everything is so artsy and pretentious. The plot is pushed back, far behind ultra-feminism, SJW agenda, and gibberish philosophy. It's the kind of movie people don't admit they don't like, because otherwise they will be judged for not understanding EVERY metaphore in it. First, a movie should tell a story. Then, only then you can infuse discrete political or philosophical messages. Not the opposite, it only makes a boring, pretentious film… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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1

SkateNYFeb 25, 2018

Bring a book. Or your Kindle device.

It’s been said that the only legitimate philosophical question is in the form of “Why is there something instead of nothing?” Annihilation reverses the two subjects of that question. I don’t mean toBring a book. Or your Kindle device.

It’s been said that the only legitimate philosophical question is in the form of “Why is there something instead of nothing?” Annihilation reverses the two subjects of that question.

I don’t mean to dismiss anyone’s experience in watching the film, but I found nothing intellectually challenging about either the story. The largely meaningless interpersonal exchanges among and between the characters offered little in the way of much-needed distraction. The scientific revelations that at least three characters advance during their slow walk to a parking lot in a mall that closed decades ago are earth-shattering only if your imagination doesn’t allow for the existence of other forms of life. Even their hypotheses were dull. And you don’t need to be a biologist to figure out what’s different within the alien forest (the writers use the word “shimmer”) in comparison to everyday, carbon-based existence. I won’t give my explanation here since it may be one of a few mundane mysteries in a script that favors only those who delight in disappointment.

The narrative is both uninspired and uninspiring, and the writers provide several opportunities to stop caring about the story and the characters. Unfortunately, this apparent attempt to tamper enthusiasm about the project and the characters who work ay getting us to dislike them spills over into the ending which then steers viewers to ask themselves a very limited set of questions about what may have happened in the film. At least those who were still interested enough to care. I was not among them. I also had the dreaded “embarrassed-for-someone-else” experience more than once, both for a meandering story that seems satisfied to make halfhearted attempts at being interesting and the portrayal of a land that was too often straining to be different in ways that might move viewers to be left in awe. Never happened. CGI and special effects are bland; nothing new to see here that hasn’t already been portrayed (badly) in Sci-Fi TV series. A walk through a rain forest is more visually compelling, even if taken on the National Geographic Channel. The alien world that’s presented evokes images of a darker though ultimately lackluster Walt Disney World in a sometimes cartoonish way rather than shuttling back and forth through the multiple levels of being presented in Interstellar. It portrays a different kind of reality as a blunt object in a world that cries out in desperation for a finer, simpler touch. What’s supposed to be frightening is too often unwittingly comical; the gravity of the mission and the vulnerability of the characters lose their narrative force as a result. (If you haven’t seen it, check out The Forbidden Planet -- a film released more than sixty years ago -- for its compelling narrative and limited but, within the context of the story, realistic special effects.)

Annihilation is not worth seeing, even if you have MoviePass. Not a single “ooh” or “aah” throughout though there was some suppressed laughter along the way. Probably the worst movie I’ve seen in more than a year. I doubt that Annihilation will show up on a “One Hundred Underrated Sci-Fi Movies from Twenty Years Ago” list. There just isn’t very much to it.… Expand

18 of 28 users found this helpful1810

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1

DragonSEGMar 15, 2018

Far too slow of a story. I thought it would pick up when they entered the shimmer, but I was wrong. There were a few parts that made me think that maybe it would become worth it. Those parts, sadly, were few. I guess I think that if itFar too slow of a story. I thought it would pick up when they entered the shimmer, but I was wrong. There were a few parts that made me think that maybe it would become worth it. Those parts, sadly, were few. I guess I think that if it has 'Action' as a listed genre, it should have, well... action. This felt like a college lecture when the professor is half asleep.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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1

OtjituuoMay 11, 2018

Pretentious garbage. I enjoy the type of movie this was trying to be, Ex Machina as well, but an awful, awful script and terrible acting sank the whole thing. Great visuals and a few interesting ideas, but I was literally laughing at some ofPretentious garbage. I enjoy the type of movie this was trying to be, Ex Machina as well, but an awful, awful script and terrible acting sank the whole thing. Great visuals and a few interesting ideas, but I was literally laughing at some of the clunky dialog rolling out of actors who looked like they were as bored as me. An insult to the genre.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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1

AlanoSilvaPBMar 2, 2023

Horrível. Filme muito lento, confuso e o final é uma porcaria. Não se como Natalie quis fazer esse filme.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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1

WaffenherrmuffNov 15, 2018

Garbage. This is not sci-fi. It is sci-fi like Star Trek is sci-fi i.e it is pure garbage fantasy. Though at least Start Trek has a plot and characters. I do not understand how anyone can think this is an intelligent movie and I amGarbage. This is not sci-fi. It is sci-fi like Star Trek is sci-fi i.e it is pure garbage fantasy. Though at least Start Trek has a plot and characters. I do not understand how anyone can think this is an intelligent movie and I am shocked and horrified I believed the reviews. Outsides of the fact I can hopefully save others from watching this steaming pile of manure. Intelligence implies learning, and there is nothing to learn here. It is one dimensional tripe.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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0

gloukasMar 7, 2018

ok. i will keep it simple. i love complex, confusing movies. loved the directors other movie. this movie however, is probably the worst movie i have ever seen in my entire life. i am not sure where or how any decent ratings are coming from.ok. i will keep it simple. i love complex, confusing movies. loved the directors other movie. this movie however, is probably the worst movie i have ever seen in my entire life. i am not sure where or how any decent ratings are coming from. everyone in the theater also was baffled, confused, laughing at the film (not the funny parts) and disoriented. the film had no purpose, an resolved nothing. it was complete garbage and the ending was so predictable. again, i repeat. this is by far, the worst movie i have ever seen. i cannot think of another movie that was worse than this. i think people feel they "have" to like it, or that it is more complex than it is. to not like it would mean they are stupid. but don't be tricked or lie to yourself. this is the worst movie ever made (on a hollywood/higher budget scale)

terrible and without purpose or resolution..… Expand

8 of 22 users found this helpful814

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0

andrewsalgadoJun 24, 2018

Read the book ... which was problematic. But this was a pile of rubbish, nonsensical crap.

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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0

AproxxAug 16, 2018

So. It seems that its enough to put some fantastical visuals here and there, plus an open ending that doesn't make sense but "it is cool" to make some get a little bit confused about the quality of a movie.

This is trash. All the flaws haveSo. It seems that its enough to put some fantastical visuals here and there, plus an open ending that doesn't make sense but "it is cool" to make some get a little bit confused about the quality of a movie.

This is trash. All the flaws have excuses "we are experimenting the events by an unreliable source"

"the aliens aren't good nor bad and don't want anything and aren't anything but a reflection"... except when the movie needed them NOT TO BE that to make the movie more entertaining. If someone question this: "We can't be sure if we can trust the one telling the story (unreliable)".

Nah.

Besides. The movie is just absolutely boring. And the characters half dimensional and BORING.… Expand

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

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0

AlmostpilotApr 17, 2018

I had not seen such a bad movie in a long time. Horrible idea, script very poorly performed and totally out of reality and yet with a fully predictable end.

4 of 11 users found this helpful47

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0

nuwaveFeb 25, 2018

Bad movie. Long boring. Very little action. Acting is fair at best. Don't waste your $$$$

7 of 29 users found this helpful722

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0

jimhillmeyerMar 11, 2018

Terrible movie. Incoherent jumble of absurd, weakly-related incidents trying to hinge on a totally murky attempt at a plotline. Had the feeling a Hollywood techie was fascinated with some 4th of July-like special effects equipment, and theTerrible movie. Incoherent jumble of absurd, weakly-related incidents trying to hinge on a totally murky attempt at a plotline. Had the feeling a Hollywood techie was fascinated with some 4th of July-like special effects equipment, and the writer, director, producers tried to construct a story around the CGI's. The 'ME TOO' group must have like it, because the military-style incursion into the film's Never-Neverland was replicated right from the standard male, testosterone format. Sorry, ladies, it might conceivably work somewhere, sometime, somehow, but not here. Final word: a psychedelic conglomeration of movie trash.… Expand

7 of 18 users found this helpful711

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0

jimulkaMar 11, 2018

A big fat -0- for this mess of a movie. SEE 'Critic Reviews', Rex Reed's (New York Observer) review. That is precisely my review.

5 of 16 users found this helpful511

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cinewatcherMar 17, 2018

I started to see watch this movie, but stopped halfway towards the end. It was confusing, going back and forth, and took a while to give you the plot. Part of the movie was already done many times before - start with a group of people, andI started to see watch this movie, but stopped halfway towards the end. It was confusing, going back and forth, and took a while to give you the plot. Part of the movie was already done many times before - start with a group of people, and one-by-one they get killed. Why the rest of the soldiers would stay around is beyond me. I'm surprised that so many reviewers gave this movie high number reviews!… Expand

4 of 12 users found this helpful48

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0

zaksommerfieldMar 18, 2018

This film is a plotless mess that takes some of the weirdness from the book but removes literally all of the story. More an impressionist painting then a film. Skip it.

5 of 17 users found this helpful512

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0

ichemandrewJan 2, 2019

This movie isn't just bad... it is mind-breakingly terrible, with a story even more incomprehensibly stupid that a C-grade made-for-TV from the 80's (but with worse special effects). Save yourself the waste of two hours and watch a 2-starThis movie isn't just bad... it is mind-breakingly terrible, with a story even more incomprehensibly stupid that a C-grade made-for-TV from the 80's (but with worse special effects). Save yourself the waste of two hours and watch a 2-star horror movie on NetFlix. I guarantee you will have a better time. Literally one of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life, and that is coming from someone who has sat through an awful lot of garbage in his time.… Expand

5 of 14 users found this helpful59

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0

JLauNov 1, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sci-fi nonsense about evolution or mutation that doesn't seem to know just how dreadful it is on every level.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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Annihilation

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