Effects and spectacle in search of a decent plot, a decent pace and a decent conclusion

Rating: Null/10 (23 February 2014)

As someone who really enjoyed District 9 with its mix of social commentary and sci-fi, I was quite looking forward to this film but due to the so-so reviews from critics, decided to give it a while and watch it once the dust had settled. I did so recently and have to say that the critics that laid into this film were mostly right to do so because it is a surprisingly weak film across the board. The plot is about the haves (in space) and have-nots (on earth); it is a familiar scenario and of course the have-nots want what they don't have while the haves don't want anyone else to have what they have.
Speaking of haves, just to say what the film does have – it has a very big budget, a very big star and plenty of impressive special effects; so if these are the sole qualities that you are looking for then you'll find much to like here as it ticks these boxes. Unfortunately what the film doesn't have is a great deal of substance to back this up. OK there is stuff in here about immigration and artificial borders drawn in a map but it is really poorly handled with nothing smart to say but just big obvious gestures which really bring nothing (and I say this as a liberal myself). With the subtext mostly just a flapping rag hanging off the film, this should still mean that we get a solid sci-fi action movie but unfortunately this also falls flat. The film has terrible pacing, plot twists and turns that really make no sense at all and generally it doesn't engage.
The sci-fi action is technically impressive (despite feeling like we saw it before in District 9) but with nothing to really engage the viewer it just starts to feel like noise and spectacle for the sake of it – which it kinda is. Damon seems earnest throughout and is OK but he is not as light-footed with this material and it shows. Indeed the whole film shares his rather plodding feel. Foster is wasted, Copley's is a good presence but seems out of step with the rest of the film, Braga is stunning as ever but doesn't have too much else to work with and so it goes on.
It has a lot of things at its resources in terms of star names, special effects and money to spend on both, but unfortunately the plot is leaden, the pacing off, events unconvincing and unengaging and the subtext is really akin to something scribbled on paper with crayons and a smiling sun in the background. It is expensive enough not to be awful, but it certainly isn't much good.