Movie Review: “Annihilation” takes on alien life forms, mental health, and the big C

Movie Review: “Annihilation” (R)

Alex Garland (the screenwriter behind Danny Boyle-helmed efforts “28 Days Later,” “The Beach,” and “Sunshine”) follows up his provocative directorial debut “Ex-Machina” with this loose adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s novel “Annihilation,” a brainy and thought-provoking slice of science fiction that’s as psychedelic, surreal, and transfixing as it is ambiguous, cold, and frustrating.

In “Annihilation,” a strange, other-worldly energy force called the Shimmer begins to spread across our planet. Military teams are dispatched to the inner walls of this massive energy force in the hope that it can be studied. Unfortunately, those who enter fail to exit, and it isn’t long before the gradually expanding Shimmer proves to be a threat to our very existence. But why and how? Eventually, biologist Lena (Natalie Portman) volunteers to join a team of women in an effort to answer these questions by way of yet another attempt at examining the Shimmer from the inside.  Once these curious (and fearless) individuals enter, what do they find? As it turns out, quite a bit, actually.

As was the case with Darren Aronofsky’s challenging and undeniably divisive “Mother!” and Denis Villeneuve’s expertly crafted “Arrival,” “Annihilation” offers a lot to chew on, and it is most certainly open to interpretation. While a great deal of the film certainly plays like a sci-fi movie milkshake (watch for shades of John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” “2001,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “Fantastic Voyage,” “War of the Worlds,” “Alien,” “A.I.,” “The Andromeda Strain,” etc.), it is the central theme of cancer that proves to be the most intriguing aspect of this wild and strange multi-layered experience — more specifically, how this deadly disease strikes without warning and without discrimination, how those affected by it choose to deal with it, and how many of us desperately continue to look for a cure.

“Annihilation” jumps around in terms of time, and Garland boldly clues us in on which characters might not make it out of the Shimmer early on in the picture. He’s more interested in the journey then he is in shocking us with unexpected deaths. It should also be noted that Garland is just as interested in themes of guilt, mental health, self destruction, and sickness as he is in otherworldly life forms. Maybe even more so. It is this fusion of various ideas and themes that elevates the proceedings.

Portman is outstanding here as the curious and determined Lena. After her soul mate Kane (played by Oscar Isaac) disappears while on a covert military mission, Lena has no choice but to move on. After Kane mysteriously resurfaces, however, Lena’s life takes on an entirely new meaning. She’s looking for answers in an effort to not only save her soul mate but to save our planet as we know it. Portman is asked to navigate some very trippy and complicated terrain here, and she does so with eloquence and emotional weight. Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez, and Tuva Novonty are hit and miss as Lena’s expedition-bound sisterhood while a usually dependable Jennifer Jason Leigh falls surprisingly flat. Likewise, Oscar Isaac is a bit too low key. It could be argued that this character requires a more understated approach, but a tad more personality from Kane would have brought a much needed glimmer of light to a very cold movie.

As for the methodical pacing and the sometimes ambiguous nature of the plot, there are aspects of “Annihilation” that are bothersome, particularly in the first half. High among them is a somewhat silly creature attack in a boathouse. As this slow burn progresses, however, “Annihilation” begins to show its true colors, and ultimately it leads to some truly effective (and unsettling) sequences. Look no further than a scene in which our heroines come face to face with a terrifying monster that could be best described as bear-like, a horrific video discovery, and a spectacular (and relentlessly eerie) confrontation between Lena and a most unexpected foe.

With “Annihilation,” Garland refuses to spell everything out. This is to say that there are questions raised, and we don’t always get answers. This makes for a challenging but rewarding experience for viewers who are willing to stick with it. Again, “Annihilation” isn’t without its frustrating moments, but I respect and admire it for its sheer ambition alone.

Articles related to “Movie Review: ‘Annihilation’ takes on alien life forms, mental health, and the big C”

Movie Review: “Early Man” is cheeky fun from Aardman Animation

Movie Review: “Black Panther” throws culture and timely themes into Marvel mix

Movie Review: “Winchester” trades in sufficient scares for heavy-handed message