Annihilation

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

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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.

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8

PeterAlexanderMay 18, 2018

Annihilation is filled with tension and is indeed incredibly unsettling yet beautiful to watch. Its mystery is its greatest strength and it capitalises on this until the very end. An end which successfully left me with many questions of intrigue.

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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

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8

MoishMay 30, 2018

A good sci-fi thriller that keeps you attent of wats happening all the time messes with your mind, and it's a fear adaptation of the book.

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6

Mitya64Feb 2, 2019

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

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10

DecTheWallsApr 6, 2018

Beautiful and strange. I can't remember the last time I lost myself so entirely in a film. Everything a good Sci-Fi should be.

Beautiful directing, writing, acting, and cinematography. I really can't find fault with this film.

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8

NEILTON_1962Apr 11, 2018

Ficção científica cativante, dramática, com atrizes nos papéis principais. Boa aceitação no Brasil. Natalie Portman conduzindo bem, a trama.

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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!

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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

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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

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8

GrantD243Apr 25, 2018

Annihilation is a sci-fi movie that comes to us from Alex Garland, who is best known for Ex Machina, which was a critical hit back in 2014. And, man, I really liked this movie. Annihilation delivers on everything I hope for in a sci-fi movie.Annihilation is a sci-fi movie that comes to us from Alex Garland, who is best known for Ex Machina, which was a critical hit back in 2014. And, man, I really liked this movie. Annihilation delivers on everything I hope for in a sci-fi movie. There's a lot of mystery, ambiguity, some action, and some philosophical stuff as well. All of the acting is terrific and the visuals are mesmerizing. I will say that there was a point during the movie where I was thinking "Alright, this is either going to go completely off the rails in a bad way or it's going to wrap up nicely," and while I think the last act of the movie is a little rougher around the edges than I was hoping, I was still very satisfied with the ending. I really hope enough people go see this film for Paramount to turn a profit, because sci-fi movies like this are what I want to see more of in the theater.… Expand

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9

WarladyMay 26, 2018

I just say Natalie Portman,this was a really interesting wierd movie and I liked it alot. I just wanted it to be longer.

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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

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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.

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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