Annihilation Review

I saw Annihilation on February 26, 2018! While that was the official date I saw it, I saw it again last night as well! This is one of the most thought provoking movies I've seen in some time. It's a cerebral movie that is probably the best movie of the 2010s since Ex Machina, which was also written and directed by Alex Garland. He has taken science fiction with this movie, and completely changed the game. This is a movie that will make you explore the mysteries of the universe, as well as struggles leading to human self-destruction, and how it can manifest into something far beyond our own imagination.

Annihilation is a total mind bender that twists the audiences at every turn of the movie. There are several layers to this movie that keep you on the edge of your seat. I was so enamored with the actual scientific part of this movie, but I never expected to be so entranced by the end of this movie. This movie impressed me so much. It's such an achievement in artistic cinema, with a thoroughly woven story rounded out by a predominantly female cast with a world unlike anything you'll find in a movie.

Natalie Portman leads the charge as Lena, a biologist, who goes on a mission following the mysterious return of her husband from a secret mission.  Natalie Portman is one of the better actresses in Hollywood. At least two of her roles are all time favorites of mine, and this one is now part of the group. She goes on an expedition with four other women played by Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez, Tuva Novotny, & Jennifer Jason Leigh. Every supporting cast member had a moment to shine in some way, especially Rodriguez & a brilliant performance by Oscar Isaac as Portman's husband, Kane. Each member of the team has a scientific or medical background to find out why others have not returned from this mysterious world. While they are going on this mission, one of the most intriguing parts of each character is they're all dealing with some dark self-destructive behavior leading to their downfall, and this mission, in a way, is meant to purify them. That's one of the biggest things going on in this movie-the purification of the human soul. Conversations explain what is going on with the characters and the world we're walking into with these characters.

Our characters encounter a strange world where the laws of nature do not apply called The Shimmer. The Shimmer is the most visually amazing place I've ever seen. The use of color in this world is gorgeous, and makes everything pop more. Also, the use of darkness at times really adds to shock, and there's at least one scene that is so legitimately terrifying that I couldn't stop shaking from how frightened I was. Sheer brutality and perfectly executed horror sold many parts of this world. The further they walked into The Shimmer, the more twisted the world became. I wouldn't last 24 hours in The Shimmer. I can definitely tell you that. I also think the horror elements blended with the overall mystery & science of the world created in The Shimmer are so unique to the science fiction genre. It's such an ambitious movie that I feel succeeds on all levels. It's a world building movie fueled by tension, and the most memorable finale I've seen in some time. Everything that happens to the characters is original, and truly unpredictable. You can't believe what you're watching. It's so beautiful and unique.

I was into everything going on, really enjoying everything, and then the final act completely pulled me in and left me absolutely loving this movie. The lighthouse scenes are out of this world! Much like Ex Machina, Garland brings another third act that gave explosions of color and emotion unlike anything you'll ever feel. It's amazing to watch-the cinematography mixed with the visuals are on another level. What really sells these incredible visuals and twisting story points is that menacing and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. The Alien is one of the best instrumental themes I've heard for a movie, and it sells each second of this lighthouse scene better than anything you can imagine. This movie is your imagination taken beyond the fifth dimension. The fifth dimension would run in fear of The Shimmer. The Lost Souls Room in Beetlejuice is a relaxing vacation spot compared to The Shimmer. Whenever you see a lighthouse after watching this movie, you'll immediately get chills. The ending is open to interpretation, but at the same time, I have seen this twice, so I have pieced together more of the details and occurrences to try and fully grasp everything. It's one of the best movies in the last decade, and one of the better science fiction movies you'll ever see. It honestly may end up being my favorite movie of 2018. It's really going to take a lot to top it.

The world of The Shimmer-the look, the colors, the unique world overall, the lighthouse scenes, the fantastic cast, the character's journey, the thought-provoking story, and one of the best soundtracks in years (that synthesizer will hit you hard) make this a definite 5/5, and one of the legit most ambitious movies ever with a deep look at the human soul interwoven into a dark, unnatural world with bits of light, a kaleidoscope of color, and hope hidden amidst the chaos within. Alex Garland is a force in the science fiction genre, and I can't wait for his next project.