Natalie Portman does not disappoint

Rating: 8/10 (1 October 2018)

So I just finished seeing Annihilation in theaters. I walked into this knowing nothing about this movie. it's rare that I see a film without doing copious amounts of research on it first, but a friend strongly recommended it. I must say I'm immensely impressed.
Annihilation falls into a weird category of movie that encompasses elements of a sci-fi thriller, horror, philosophical drama, and a odd acid trip. The initial setup of the movie is relatively simple. A woman goes on a mission to investigate a mysterious area in an attempt to help her sick husband, from there all hell breaks loose.
I love the way the movie Incorporated so much in its run time. The Sci-Fi elements felt fresh and original, taking a unique spin on a recycled concept. The horror elements at times remind me of John Carpenter's The Thing. Brutal and horrifying at the same time, but very well done.
The setting of the movie reminded me of a haunting dream. It had moments of absolute beauty and intrigue, while other times morphing into a twisted nightmare.
Acting wise the movie was well done all around. Natalie Portman was a outstanding protagonist. The entire cast was packed with strong female leads. There really wasn't a bad performance.
The movie was written and directed by Alex Garland who is known for writing 28 Days Later and directing ex machina. So of course with Annihilation there were huge philosophical implications. The movie brought up interesting ideas regarding the nature of humanity, evolution, and the concept of self. It asked quite a number of very intriguing questions. It is definitely a movie that will leave you thinking on many levels.
I really enjoyed this movie, but it is not without its flaws. The ending is very open ended and Incredibly ambiguous. At times the movie brings up more questions than it answers. The movie may not be perfect but it was a hell of a ride a 8.25 out of 10.