In the Wachowskis’ latest sci-fi effort, Jupiter Ascending , Channing Tatum plays a perfect hunting machine who looks more like a supernatural eleven king than anything else. His job? To protect a damsel in distress who has a perfect genetic signature, which makes her a huge target for the Queen of the Universe. Opposite Tatum is Mila Kunis, who plays Jupiter, and needs some serious protecting by Tatum. Jupiter’s existence causes a big threat of power in her world, and of course, the powers that be just can’t let that happen.
Let’s talk about the trailer, which showcases the fantastical visuals of Jupiter Ascending from the brother and sister directing team. In many ways, it’s just what we expected since these are the same individuals behind The Matrix films and Cloud Atlas .
Like most of their films, Jupiter Ascending finds itself embedded in specific thematic tropes, and it seems like this one finds itself under religious tones.
“Jupiter Ascending is about Jupiter Jones, an unlucky Russian immigrant who cleans toilets for a living. She encounters Caine, an interplanetary warrior whom the Queen of the Universe sent to kill Jupiter. Caine tells Jupiter that the stars were pointing to an extraordinary event on the night she was born, and that her DNA could mark her as the universe’s next leader.”
We’ll admit, as a character who has a perfect genetic structure, we’ll go there with the Wachowskis and believe that aesthetically speaking, Kunis fits the bill. However, if the trailer is any evidence of her acting decline, then we’re not so sure how she’ll convincingly pull off this role. Many of Kunis’ coverage shots look like a feigned reaction, or an outtake that should have been left on the cutting room floor. That said, for someone who usually gets lost in fantastical worlds, Kunis does look absolutely gorgeous and present in the Wachowskis landscape.
As for Channing Tatum, he absolutely fits the bill, even if his elven-esque ears makes him look a bit out there. In a way, it fits with the fantastical world that the directors have created for J upiter Ascending . Also an addition to Tatum is a bright new hair color including weird facial hair, and a hard to decipher accent that may or may not become distracting.
Hopefully, the Wachowskis fixed whatever thematic trope problems they found themselves in for Cloud Atlas in time to direct for Jupiter Ascending because the visuals alone suggest that they may have another iconic film on their hands.