ANNIHILATION - Movie Review

[@dravenlee4473]

The confrontation is one of the best film moments in recent years for me. No dialogue, just a great score and mesmerizing visuals and performance. The film is not for everyone and it's not flawless but it's the kind of sci-fi I love.

[@aaronshouting588]

Despite its flaws. It’s honestly the best depiction of cosmic horror yet (in my opinion).

[@Misericorde9]

I remember people gushing over the bear creature, while others countered that it was just a rip off of Gene Wolfe's "alzabo" (though the creature's creators do not appear to have ever heard of it). I thought the bear was okay. No big deal. But the entity at the end is the best depiction of something truly alien I can recall ever seeing on screen.

[@mariodrv]

Together with Alien.

[@Gypsywasteland]

lol

[@MM-hf6om]

Nah the thing still holds the title

[@robertgoyette5863]

agreed. the best lovecraft movie not actually based on lovecraft

[@acrophobe]

I loved Annihilation. There are so many moments in this film that have been burned into my memory forever since I first saw it in theaters. It's like a beautiful, terrible nightmare but with an oddly uplifting yet unsettling conclusion. And one of the best sci fi film scores ever.

[@pretentiouscameron7815]

This movie is an example of how endings can change your perspective about a movie. The third act is great and you forget the mediocre parts that came before.

[@pkrmkn31]

but what if you try to watch the movie 3 time and always fall to sleep before the third act

[@zachmontminy]

The thing I remember about when it came out, was how everyone was screaming about how there were no alll female cast blockbusters, because it was somewhat around when Oceans Eight and Ghostbusters 2016 came out. And then this movie dropped, with great performances from everybody and it just bombed so hard and no one talked about it.

[@christianade2937]

In my opinion this movie is a eerie masterpiece. I highly appreciate the Lovecraftian Vibes in it and the strange otherworldly atmosphere of the Shimmer. Flawless Cosmic Horror and one of the best movies of the last decade.

[@onetwentydb]

And that soundtrack. Geoff Barrow was a great choice imo; I imagine he influenced the more "synthy" side of the score, and man, what an influence. Especially the music in the lighthouse. Just so unsettling. I absolutely adore this movie, I very much agree with your opinion.

[@fattymcfatso1083]

You are thinking of The Colour Out of Space?

[@christianade2937]

@@fattymcfatso1083 Exactly.

[@fattymcfatso1083]

@@christianade2937 cool

[@Klayhamn]

I recommend the book, it's amazing

[@realDialFforFilm]

I only saw this once, so I'd probably have to see it again. But I distinctly remember being more enamored with this compared to "Ex Machina." If nothing else, I found it more conceptually interesting and emotionally engaging.

[@pickletarts8196]

Hahah! Go to her ‘Ex Machina’ and there is someone commenting the exact same thing as you but switch the films…

[@realDialFforFilm]

@@pickletarts8196 Tis the nature of human opinion. lol

[@pickletarts8196]

@@realDialFforFilm indeed. irony at its best. welcome to the human dichotomy

[@acrophobe]

As a childless and unmarried man in my 30s, this film spoke to me on a deep level. I feel like the film is a painfully honest allegory for marriage with all its flaws and unforeseen baggage. The titular annihilation is the annihilation of the very identity of the self that goes along with getting married and starting a family. So much of what defines our individual character and our daily lives as independent people vanishes the moment we welcome children into our lives. The days that we get married and welcome new generations into our lives are deeply important, transformative, and also anxious moments, and I think the film captures that emotional essence very well in a way that I can't personally relate to, but I understand.

[@filmfredrik]

If you’re curious about what Garland did after this, you have to check out the miniseries Devs!

[@injoyinmyself2018]

I loved this cosmic horror. The mutant bear crying like a person freaked me out. The Dark synth sound and visuals in the end scene. My mind trying to wrap around creation, destruction, mutation. Would love your thoughts on Guy Richie Movie " Revolver"

[@Danilla229]

yey no dust on the shelves : )) You are the best reviewer!

[@Colin-kh6kp]

The book was great and the film was better than the book. Just a solid film that actually took the source material and managed to take it in their own direction in a satisfying and respectful way.

[@_knitch]

Definitely. The whole trilogy has a lot of character but it's not particularly well developed and the prose is quite stale. The movie trims a lot of fat but also some meat.

[@toddpinkstonisgod]

Garland’s best film. Loved it. The last 20-25 minutes or so are amazing.

[@toddhill7483]

I appreciate your review. Just found the channel and am looking forward to checking out some of your past reviews. Some great films there, including Stalker. If you haven't seen them, I'd recommend The Eyes of my Mother and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. Two unique films in black and white. Gratitude

[@whatyoudo9773]

this one will be tough....viewers are so different. this movie grabbed me in a way only Blade Runner did...its an emotion like a dream...so confusing and strange...I watched it 4 times in two days

[@bhbluebird]

Very detailed reviews and that soothing, narrative voice doesn't hurt either.

[@docsamson198]

I finally saw this movie, too. For me, it was a disappointment despite the great premise. I am a firm believer that “a movie lives and dies with its main character.” I have always liked Natalie Portman as an actor, but her character here is so blatantly undercooked. The bear attack scene was well done, though. A perfect scene to watch on KZbin repeatedly.

[@jeanpaulmichell7243]

Heh, yeah I've rewatched that scene on yt. It really is one of the best horror scenes of the last several years. The set-up for it is dumb but what a good pay off.

[@darnellmajor8895]

You know what Maggie, I actually enjoyed this movie after not completing it the first time.........Maybe you may enjoy it upon 2nd watch. Who knows? But this is actually a masterpiece.

[@nostgeoffhi-fi]

This is why I am reading the book. I felt like the movie mostly fell flat. There was a lot of potential but I wanted more immersion and deeper characters. Everything was so vague and superficial, even if the premise was interesting. I don’t want to discredit the director and say it was all fluff -because it wasn’t. It made me think and got my creativity flowing. My feeling is they cut too much material out and simplified it for the audience. I also was confused about whether this was more of a character story than an action/plot driven one. Overall, it was an okay to good watch for me. “Contact” was a classic for me. I always liked it. I recently saw the movie “Dual” with Karen Gillan and Aaron Paul a few weeks ago, which was a an art-house scifi comedy and would love to see a review of that! More recently, I did see the Cronenberg film “Crimes of the Future” twice (once alone, and once with family) and am watching your video on that.

[@jeanpaulmichell7243]

Agree with a lot of what you said here. The main storyline with the wild altering of genes and DNA in the shimmer is fascinating, but alas the film prefers to continually cut the tension with flashbacks to Portman's character meandering about her house, or sitting in a chair droning exposition, putting the brakes on any possible suspense. A couple of scenes (the bear, the lighthouse) are frankly great; but the surrounding scenes are so intent on boring my socks off with numerous attempts to make me care about the filmmakers sophomoric musings on self-imposed guilt, I had to struggle to keep taking the film seriously (and the director most certainly wants you to take it all very, very seriously). For all of the film's self-serious posturing, in the end I felt indifferent and vaguely cheated.

[@blasien1]

I enjoyed Ex M more as a film. Annihilation needed a little more throughline clarity to keep me from wondering wtf was going on, esp through the end of the film. Annihilation is interesting on repeat view for little touches (watch for the changing tattoo), but I prefer to experience a film rather than be prodded into analyzing it. Both are worthy, I'd recommend Ex Machina more readily to more people.

[@reneelyons6836]

I watch this movie over and over. I hardly ever do that.

[@ElonMImeanEMusk]

Same

[@EagleLeader1]

I liked Ex Machina more than Annihilation but love them both.

[@niebo3179]

I discovered your channel a few days ago and I am really enjoying your point of view about many movies. You are a brilliant person, well-spoken, with deep thoughts. I remember being in my twenties, during the 2000s, in that time when we could start downloading movies, with Internet becoming something more and more special. 2004, 2005, 2006... I was hungry of all kind of movies, directors, I watched a lot of J-Horror, giallos, Arthouse movies, European movies, movies from the 60s, Gaspar Noe, Aronofski, Satoshi Kon... There was always things to discover, a new director, a new subgenre to explore. And since the pandemic, these 2020, 2021, 2022... I see myself as a father of 2 children that has a lot of stress at work and in life in general and so little time for me, and, while I always try to watch the new movies of those directors, and I still watch some giallos, European movies, etc. once in a while, I rewatch a lot. Trying to find confort in movies I love since forever. And I miss that time where 80% of what I was watching, was something new, interesting, that provokes me or how I see cinema. Your words, the passion you talk about these interesting movies with, is quite inspiring for me. I wish I could have that concentration and time to enjoy movies like that. Your videos make me want to go back to that time and I really appreciate it.

[@ulfingvar1]

I put Annihilation in the same category as Interstellar, Arrival, Solaris (original) and, dare I say it, 2001 (without comparing the two.) While I can understand your critical points, they didn't bother me while watching, but then I am easily seduced by cool visuals and suggestive sound-work. Give it a few more tries, and it might become one of your favorites of all time 😃

[@robertgoyette5863]

loooooooove this movie. I relate this a lot to under the skin in how theyre both pessimistic about humanity but in a subjective elliptical way. great to see portman can still knock it out of the park too. As for the framing device-i generally dont like them as a rule. But i didnt mind it here because i feel like the tension is not about why the other members of the expedition(s) died, but why portmans character survived. i hope you do Dredd to finish out the garland oeuvre haha (according to a lot of behind the scenes talk garland was the de facto director)

[@onetwentydb]

Holy crap, I do not know how I missed the fact that Dredd was written by Alex Garland! Thanks for that! Both Annihilation and Dredd (and Ex Machina, to a lesser degree) are personal favorites.

[@3_se_]

Ohh I fucking love when Mags watched the same prep films as me. Cant wait to see Men!

[@hoibsh21]

I wonder if Alex Garland was inspired by the great mutant bear movie, 1979's The Prophecy starring Talia Shire, to add the mutant bear.

[@kdizzle901]

This score is a masterpiece

[@jalbertking5170]

i loved this movie! but i hated the parts with the love story and the personal backstory. The romance parts just took away from the main story and away from the cosmic horror. there was no point to it.

[@MrDante10no]

Awesome movie and awesome atmos track! A treat for home theater owners. 👌

[@crynne66]

It's a good movie but it requires the audience to fill in way too many gaps. If you 'get' the inferences you'll enjoy it more but you spend more time second guessing the directors intentions than actually enjoying the story

[@soularijh]

i loooved this movie, possibly because i watched it in a moment in my life where death was painfully present. your review is extremely insightful and i love how you have a very nuanced opinion on it! totally agree on Alex Garland movies missing a certain something, I hadn't been able to put my finger on it.

[@thedude3853]

Recommendations: # Love Exposure # Eve's Bayou # Tamasha # Bob Le Flambeur # Salaam Bombay # 3 Idiots # Three Colors Trilogy # The Apu Trilogy

[@legendarygigolo823]

The Apu Trilogy is really outstanding.

[@CarmillaKnits]

Would highly recommend the novel by Jeff Vandermeer! Honestly one of the most beautiful, thrilling and scary novels I've read in a while.

[@aaronnerswick2223]

would you be able to do a review on a move called slow west? it's a A24 western and i literally watched it last night for the first time and i loved it and im curious to hear your take on it.

[@VFRZen]

Appreciate your thoughts but as Dalton says, opinions vary - and that’s ok. Personally, I loved Annihilation. It’s one of the best pieces of psychedelic sci fi I’ve seen. And that bear scene…just macabre. Oh, and Contact did have flaws but I’m not sure calling a sci-fi story written by Carl Sagan stupid is a fair descriptor. I had problems with the cardboard characters in that flick - especially MM’s priest character - but the science underpinning the film was solid if obviously speculative. And Ex Machina was great as well, tho I will admit I wanted more science in that flick than we got. BTW, have you seen AG’s “Men” yet?

[@delight9311]

I felt much the same about this movie. I wish it had the clarity of execution of something like Arrival.

[@-k-b-]

Editing since I've actually seen the movie now, it was good but there were so many issues at the same time. The ending and surrealism throughout was absolutely great. But overall honestly the plot is dumb, like ik having just 6 people go in keeps things neat and tidy character wise, but why wouldn't they send an actual army of like 50 people in, who are all wearing hazmat suits and have like 20 scientists go in too? The second I realized it was just 6 people I knew this was gonna be stupid. But there's a lot of awesome ideas that I loved, and the alien creature was really interesting. The end especially saved this movie from being just flat out dumb. The fact they're interrogating her at all just felt lazy, and the flashbacks were lame. Idk there's literally so many issues with the movie but so many great things to counter balance it. The esthetic of the movie is great, the creatures were awesome, the soundtrack kinda sucked until the end when it sounded like a bjork instrumental (which is how it should've sounded from the beginning). Overall I'd say this is a very in the middle movie, and reminded me of The Thing but a little more surreal and definitely DUMBER. No fault to the cast though, with everyone's performances being really good, I think every character was perfect (except for the dumb interrogation stuff, which is a shame because Benedict Wong is a great actor, but he definitely was utilized in the worst part of the movie imo). Idk where to begin fixing this movie but it doesn't matter obviously, it's a good movie no doubt, just really flawed and trying to be smarter than it is. It reminded me of Alien Covenant, which is bad but also reminded me of one of the best sci fi horror movies ever so I'm literally split on my opinion of it.

[@skabcat242]

I seen this movie once. I liked how the alien substance was affecting the animal life.

[@jeffreymcquillen1208]

I have heard this film owes a great deal to a story from Lovecraft, the color out of space.

[@soysaucehairdye7869]

I love his book, The Beach. The Leo movie ain't bad either, but not as good as the book.

[@ferrarriohh]

i think you touched on this, but his movies are lacking some aspect. it may just be that the source material stories lack ...engagement. they are wild mood building experiences, but really don't deep dive. I'd like to see Alex Garland take on some Paolo Bacigalupi written story, like Wind Up Girl or The Water Knife, and see if that's the necessary ingredient.

[@nyoodmono4681]

immersion is so important, how do you like 'Alien'? I think it is the most immersive sci fi out there still

[@anthonypate8657]

You have got read the books series they are also great.the parts where the husband comes home are really masterful.

[@Brantlins]

One of my favorite reviewers broke down this movie and basically called the writing and the plot extremely dumb so i never gave it a chance. Is it worth watching? PS: Tessa Thompson is like a fistful of salt in a dish in anything i see her in, ugh could really do without her

[@thunderstruck5484]

Jennifer Jason Leigh in Delores Claiborne is one of my favorites

[@mlxlmewq7733]

Can you review Pather Panchali?

[@mikelinux1961]

I thought the metaphor of the shimmer and the change of environment here was nuclear fallout similar to Japanese films like Akira. Overall I thought this movie was pretty bad though.

[@darnellmajor9016]

This is clearly a ''feminist movie'' without adding much to a feminist theme.

[@bsp2727]

solely because the main characters are female? As someone who despises forced feminism in films, I didn't get that vibe at all...

[@flamingfeline1218]

@@bsp2727neither did I, even the book had all females as well. I think the 2016 ghostbusters adaptation ruined certain people’s expectations of this film

[@jjbba]

Annihilation fits best in the category of films I keep revisiting because I want to like them...I want them to be better. But alas I'm always left feeling disappointed.

[@nichijin]

Spot on.

[@jwebstersmithii7459]

Based on the trailer, it looks like the film hints at the FLAT EARTH and the Center in the North Pole-where spirit and matter converge in the Ether. Freaky. I wonder if there's something to that....with the bit moshing effect. The shimmer. Apple's iPhone 13 in green shows a similar effect. World's being run down too. Perhaps it's all gonna de-res for a period of time. And the title Annihilation would fit. I've heard we are entering into the age of Aquarius where spirit and matter are the same thing. So, in order for the two to become one, perhaps the Dielectric Field (spriit)(hyperboloid shaped field) is expanding outwards from the North Pole, heading south towards us in the Magnetic Field (matter)(torus donut shaped field). Anyhow, cute hair you got going on. Peace.

[@Worldwide505]

*I Highly Recommend You New Released Worldwide Popular EPIC Blockbuster Movie (RRR : Rise Roar Revolt 2022)* *_Please React/Review On It._* 🙏

[@indori4787]

She's not in mood of watching RRR. I recommend many times on instagram, twitter. She miss the best theatre experience. RRR is made for big screens. But I still feel if she watch the RRR. Then she declared RRR Best movie of 2022.

[@SinePlus-t4d]

@@indori4787 *Best Movie Ever* 👌👌👌👌👌❤️❤️

[@mattsheezy5469]

You should consider silently playing the trailer once as you start your review. I suspect that many of us don’t know what any of these films actually are, we just like hearing you talk about them ☺️

[@classified77]

are you a screenwriter? do you work in the industry?

[@joshsawyerstreamvods]

its a good movie worth seeing

[@boymoontube]

Hate those art student craftworks.

[@theurbanloner8879]

A piece

[@thunderstruck5484]

Contact was great in my opinion at least my theater experience was

[@popey129]

It's a weird film.Excellent review.

[@lupamartins8830]

I agree completely

[@robertgiles9124]

So many things wrong with the film. The book was not really a good choice for a film. Parts were not fleshed out well. Poor part for Oscar Issacs here. But then it was supposed to be a woman's film I guess. The Four Mousecateers in Alien Earth Space. Still, they send an unstable macho woman on the Mission. Jennifer Jason Leigh is a real fav of mine. Portman?..meh. Scary Bear is scary Bear on steroids.

[@asan1050]

Thanks

[@AnthonyGuerrino_aka_TonyMoro]

Fantastic film!

[@PresidentChristopher]

I admire your long arms, hun, and I am jealous af.

[@dereksix2081]

🙏

[@alexanderg1297]

Those CGI bears tho 🤮

[@shreddhead23]

🤔🙏💯

[@electricbugaloo1976]

I liked it.

[@kevinlakeman5043]

The 'tone' feels 'a little bit off'. This is a little off. That's 'a little off for me'. Sounds like you just want to nitpick and find reasons not to rave over Garlands films cuz you do so much for other movies that are critics' darlings. I felt the tone for "Annihilation" was set and maintained very well, and was highly fitting for the movie. Now "Men" is a different story. That movie has serious issues.

[@stable-shadow]

100 percent relational in idea and movement of Ex-Machina.... extremely silly plot lines, Annihilation for sure failed came across cliche'and also a parallel to a Jurassic Park romp...... yes the shimmer was an interesting effect, but that's basically it for feeling... the lighthouse meaning and layout was good, but to little to late. I think this was Natalie Portman's worst acting presentation of any film she ever did.... Be Well have a good week. 🕊️

[@eric1138]

ANNIHILATION: Using "mystery" as a get out of jail free card from the effort of creating a plot(and Worldbuilding). You know, like Prometheus (2012 film).😏

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

I'm so glad you thought Contact was stupid also. What a pandering, condescending film. I like Jodie Foster, but I couldn't stand her for years after that movie.

[@deepfocuslens]

Matthew McConaughey in that movie was like a touch of magical realism. A ghost floating from scene to scene. XD....He's a religious philosopher who somehow has clearance to sit in on highly confidential White House meetings, space station launches, etc.. Never underestimate the power of stupid.

[@robertgoyette5863]

@@deepfocuslens '.He's a religious philosopher who somehow has clearance to sit in on highly confidential White House meetings, space station launches, etc.. ' total sagan author insert haha

[@tnbocon]

I found Annihilation to be one of my least liked movies I have ever seen... Pure junk. Art without substance.

[@driiifter]

My main problem with this movie was the ending. It was just... Dumb. Visually, plot-wise, uh, visually lol, I was just underwhelmed by it, it actually brought the whole movie down with it for me. Contact was an accurate comparison, I'm sorry lol.

[@Wingedmagician]

This has to be one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. Pseudo-intellectual the movie.

[@stable-shadow]

100 💯 percent, years a complete and utter disaster I almost left the theater my Husband said to just finish it out, I never walk out of a film, but if I was not with my Husband I would have left.

[@helvete_ingres4717]

as if 'intellectual' is what a film-maker should be striving for.

[@stable-shadow]

@@helvete_ingres4717 Clearly based on his two features that's exactly he is trying to achieve, albeit the most ridiculous and horrid job I have ever seen, and I have been in the industry for over 40 years, so I have experience, training, and endless titles under my belt. @Rob Vel was exactly right and hit the nail squarely on the head. Garland's attempt at Arthouse or Pseudo-Intellectual has become a miserable failure.... Imagine the investors of this trash? It was for sure about a 10 million dollar loss, not to mention people's reputation. The project in my opinion remains in the top 5 worst films ever released for a somewhat wide feature release, the studios lost big time on this one, and fried the brains of real Artists getting the ban scan..... Maybe you need to get 30 years under your belt and go back to live with mom and Dad, so you can go to film school again, and maybe have a real opinion, and not some snot nose, pretentious butt wipe view, where you have not experienced the World.

[@helvete_ingres4717]

@@stable-shadow I made a general point about art, I haven't even seem this particular film or like this film-maker much, actually I got dragged into seeing his last film and I found it the worst I've seen in a long time but that's neither here not there. That being said, what are these 'titles' you you have under your 'belt', Are you someone important, that I should have heard of? No I don't think so, you're just another person in the internet with a blunt and overstated opinion, but who thinks theirs is of special significance (which is again, an extremely common and un-special thing). Your desire to beat a random commenter on youtube about the head with a litany of excessive identification with being a roadie or whatever you were that in your mind qualifies you to determine who has a 'real opinion' or not (- it all reeks of an un-hinged and bitterly insecure person who lives in a past that NO ONE asked or cares about and takes excessive pride in something that didn't amount to much. Your evaluation of artistic merits in financial terms also suggests a philistinic mindset and you have the blunt and overstated opinions of a low-IQ individual. And please don't elaborate on how you were different or better than a 'roadie' b.c I don't care - I get the distinct feeling you spend your time lurking the internet looking for an opportunity to make some variant on the comment you just made, please don't make it again - it's not that interesting. Though the whole comment you made reads EERILY like some 'film guy' iteration of the infamous Navy SEAL copypasts, seriously, read the crap you wrote out loud lmao

[@stable-shadow]

@@TackJorrance As in bottled water? Are you talking about a fish tank? FILTERED back at ya, very good music group.

[@philocleandes9302]

Ugh. I just watched this movie. It was awful. Ponderous, pretentious, pseudointelllectual garbage, and not even scary.