Underwhelming

Rating: 6/10 (10 November 2013)

I was expecting a lot more from this movie and had it set aside as a special treat, but was ultimately not enchanted.
I don't rate it overall for several reasons: it was bleak and pointless, even though the overall message was about bringing new life into the world and restoring mankind's future. I just didn't care, making for a depressing movie even though there were a number of really good edge-of-the seat scenes. And because of the inglorious plot holes and the things that were just too far fetched to believe, spoiling the credibility of what seemed like a seriously good film at first. There was some quite poor acting in places too that spoiled the continuity at key moments and made me care very little about it and the plot that unfolded.
I enjoyed the concept and many of the scenes, but couldn't care less about the outcome and what happened to the characters. A major flaw for me.
On the plus side, the investment in props and effects was pretty good, especially the final 'battle' between the uprising and the military police. Michael Caine was warmly excellent and infused the film with humanity, as opposed to the headless chickens running around all the time.
A plot needs to come full circle and give us the 'hah-hah' surprise element, but not here, it just rushed through things as fast as possible in attempt to brush past the implausibility of it all.
An improbable movie that failed to fully entertain.