A stunning direction and cast but very slow moving.

Rating: 6/10 (24 February 2018)

Rating 3 out of 5 stars. (Fair)
Annihilation is suppose to be a smart science fiction horror film with a sharp direction and a plot that has themes that the audience can discuss right after it ends. It is a fair film. The direction is sharp and done by Alex Garland, whose previous work was Ex Machina which was a great film that also had a theme in there. Annihilation is at times beautiful with its set pieces on a landscape were laws of nature does not really bide by the rules when it comes to mutation. The cast ensemble was also decent as well. It is not Alex Garland's best film, as this sci fi movie does require a lot of patience with its slow moving story.
Lets talk about the pros about this film. Annihilation is definitely one of those films that audiences will either be liking or hating it. Especially with its plot. I do not want to give away much details or spoilers about it. Besides it is about a group of military scientists led by Jennifer Jason Leigh, Natalie Portman, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, and Tuva Novotny. They enter a mysterious zone known as Area X, were there is this force field wall called the shimmer. They enter it to locate the source and origin of this quarantined zone which seems to be growing. Once inside, they discover that landscapes and species mutations are beyond their imaginations. There is some creatures or cross breeding's with the animals. The plants are growing on an indifferent cycle as it evolves. But the scientists questions only remains about what happened to the previous several expeditions? Why has only one survivor from the previous expedition made it out? What is the purpose of the shimmer?
The plot is mysterious and there is a twist that may throw the audience off course with the film. I like the twist. Sure, when it came to the third act of the movie, the climax was very trippy and visually stunning to look at. It is very unsettling and disturbing at the same time.
The cast ensemble was great. Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, and Tuva Novotny were great. Every one of there characters were not perfect and all had a connection of some kind on why they were chosen to enter the shimmer. Oscar Isaac's only had a short on screen time, mainly seen in flashbacks.
The set design of the colorful plantation landscape was stunning. The visual effects were okay. Alex Garland unsettling direction was good too.
What I did not like about the film. It is a slow moving film. You might even be asking yourself during it. If anything is going to happen at all. The group enters the shimmer, they are losing their awareness, and are traveling to get to the source of the shimmer. But going from one set piece to another and to stop and observe does go a long way. Nothing happens for most of the film until the climax. It does get boring. Then, there is flashbacks with Natalie Portman's character of her and her husband (Oscar Isaacs). Than the film flashes forward with Portman's character explaining the events in the shimmer. It does mess with the pace of the film and slow things down even more.
I also felt like barely anything happened during most of the movie. The group come across a crocodile that has teeth like a shark. They come across mysterious plant life that is forming a shape of a standing person. And they see footage from the last expedition which may be disturbing. And than a giant sized mutated bear looking thing. But there was no suspense or thrills. I am sure the climax was suppose to be unsettling awe moment. But it was trippy and weird. But it missed the opportunity of being exciting.
Overall, Annihilation is a fair science fiction film. The cast was good. The visual effects and set pieces were fun to look at. The direction and plot was sharp and driven with themes that may have people talking about. If you have the patience to sit through unnecessary flashbacks and its slow moving pace with nothing happening for a long running time. Than you may enjoy it.
I will recommend the film as a rental, unless you're a huge fan of the sci fi genre and enjoy films like Arrival or 2001 Space Odyssey than I say see it in theatres.