Introduction
Jupiter Ascending is a science fiction film released in 2015 by the Wachowski siblings who wrote and directed it. The film attempts to blend worldbuilding found in world-building science fiction with a fairy tale about a common woman realizing that she is an heir to an intergalactic royal family.
The film was advertised to be filled with complex action sequences and lavish visuals. Jupiter Ascending was met with mixed reviews and it is now regarded as a cult film.
Synopsis
The film’s main character Jupiter Jones played by Mila Kunis is a woman who lives in Chicago and works as a cleaner with her mother. Jupiter has the genes of the deceased matriarch of one of the powerful royal families in the universe. This means that she is the heir to earth and a number of other planets.
Her normal life gets turned upside down when alien assassins begin hunting her, leading to her rescue from them by Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), a genetically modified ex-soldier with a mix of canine DNA, giving him advanced senses, combat abilities, and dog-like traits. Caine, a genetically modified ex-soldier with dog-like traits, rescues Jupiter and tells her that she was caught in a power struggle between intergalactic siblings of the Abrasax dynasty.
Balem Abrasax (Eddie Redmayne), the eldest brother, who currently controls Jupiter’s Earth and wishes to kill her to keep holding onto it.
Titus Abrasax (Douglas Booth), the charming but manipulative middle brother who plans to marry Jupiter to gain her title and power, but does intend to use her.
Kalique Abrasax (Tuppence Middleton), the sister who aids Jupiter but conceals her own motives.
Abrasax family infamously controls a large number of planets, harvesting the population from worlds and using them to manufacture a serum that almost grants immortality, Earth being one of those planets.
In the film, Jupiter travels to far away worlds, puzzling over political and social puzzles and fighting for the understanding of the complex, galaxy-spanning civilization that operates behind humanity’s back. Amidst all this, Caine and she develop a strong relationship that is built after fighting mercenaries, aerial dogfights, and insane escapes.
In the climax, Jupiter faces off against Balem in his enormous refinery set on Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Balem tries to manipulate her, and she refuses to give up Earth for her own safety, ultimately winning against his plan. Then, she goes back to Chicago, and even though her life is back to normal, she has a broader perspective about the universe and her role in it.
Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum are Balem and Jupiter’s respectively.
Eddie Redmayne as Balem Abrasax
Sean Bean as Stinger Apini, a former soldier and Caine’s old ally.
Douglas Booth as Titus Abrasax.
Tuppence Middleton as Kalique Abrasax.
This film is part of the Wachowskis, who both wrote and directed the film. John Toll worked on the film’s sweeping cinematography, and Michael Giacchino composed the film’s score. A number of high-profile visual effects companies worked on the film doing elaborate set pieces, such as gravity-defying sky chases and ornate planetary palaces.
The key genres are space opera and fairy tale. Jupiter’s story parallels the ‘Cinderella’ narrative where an ordinary young women has to face off against vile royalty after learning she has extraordinary roots and comes to terms with her new life.
Key themes include:
Identity and Destiny–Jupiter struggles to accept her role as a “spacer” while holding on to her old life.
Corruption and Greed–The Abrasax dynasty illustrates the consequences of long-term corruption and power as well as the commodification of life.
Love and Loyalty–The emotional aspect of the narrative is anchored by the relationship between Jupiter and Caine, alongside Stinger’s redemption arc.
The film is busy and complex visually as well, with bold and intricate designs and a mix of baroque opulence and sleek, futuristic elements. Costuming and architecture display alien worlds and diverse cultures. The Wachowskis, known for their hyperactive pacing, blend CGI with practical stunts and tend to mix slapdash action with on-location shooting.
Reception
Jupiter Ascending was released to sharply divided opinion. Some critics noted the worldbuilding, imagination, and unapologetic embrace of pulp sci-fi tropes while others panned the screenplay for being overwrought with exposition, baffling subplots, and exposition layered on top of exposition.
Redmayne’s whispering, stammering, and hissing lines of dialogue as Balem were electrifying but divided audiences. Some people perceived the delivery as powerful and threatening, while others, certainly most of my friends, found it hysterically funny rather than terrifying.
The film did not reach a commercial milestone as it performed below expectations and earned significantly less than anticipated. Its budget was not met, but value is found years later as it earned the appreciation of fans for taking the time to build an entire universe rather than copying loose themes from existing franchises.
Legacy and Cult Status
While it didn’t achieve mainstream success, fans have come to appreciate Jupiter Ascending for several reasons:
- Originality — The film’s unique mythology and world is a diamond in the rough in a landscape otherwise cluttered with reboots and sequels.
- Spectacle — From the gravity-boot chases to the gorgeous space palaces, Jupiter Ascending is visually remarkable and offers a memorable aesthetic.
- Camp appeal — Its notably melodramatic, operatic tone is makes it charming to fans and lends itself to some delightfully over-the-top performances.
This film started some debates centered around the lack of mass appeal in ambitious, original science fiction ideas and how the industry favors familiar concepts over risky ideas.
Conclusion
Jupiter Ascending is extravagant, visually impressive, and distinct in the mess of the sci-fi genre, with intricate worldbuilding and the blend of action, romance, and political intrigue. The film showcases the Wachowskis’ boldness to diverge from mainstream appeal.
For viewers eager to explore its eccentricities, it offers a lavish space opera that imagines civilizations and royal dynasties while suggesting that a lowly Earthling could alter the destiny of whole worlds.
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