A decent sci-fi adventure with some notable flaws.

Rating: 7/10 (27 February 2018)

There are many reasons why I do like this film, and many reasons why I do not. Let's start first with the pros, and what I do appreciate about Garland's sophomore feature. I do appreciate it for being ambitious, and for approaching grandiose themes that are executed well for the most part. I also enjoyed how some of the SFX turned out, they worked very well in a few scenes (also very poorly, but we'll get into that eventually). I also do appreciate the film's slower pace, and how the climax was handled. It allows for the audience to ponder for a bit after the film, prompting many discussions. The score is not half-bad either, I enjoyed it for the most part.
Now for the cons. First thing that comes to mind are the characters. The film boasts talented faces such as Portman, Isaac, and Thompson, but they all feel as if they are VERY underused. They just do a serviceable job for the most part, nothing outstanding or worth taking note of. Though compared to the others, Portman is the strongest. The dialogue also is written poorly. As I have said, some of the visuals played out great, and some played out pretty bad. Compare the scene with the glowing orb at the end and the alien, with both appeared excessively rendered and detailed, with the scene when Portman encounters those two mutated deer creatures. They appear cheaper looking and not rendered fully, the FX altogether are just very inconsistent. That is they key word for this whole film. It is very inconsistent in these places. The characters, and the effects.
Overall I do believe this film is enjoyable. I did have fun for the most part while I was watching it. The film finds its stronger points in its musical score, themes and how they are executed, as well as the last half hour. After all of the other side characters get killed off, we are left alone with Portman as she explores the heart of the shimmer, which was the best point of the film in my opinion. I am anticipated for Garland's next debut, as he is a director who has peaked my interest both with this, and Ex Machina.