Science Fiction Movie Archives - Page 3 of 10

Sci-Fi Worth Watching: Upgrade (2018) Movie Review

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / May 16, 2025

Upgrade is a thrilling, high-tech ride that holds your attention from start to finish. Directed by Leigh Whannell, this sci-fi action film blends mystery, revenge, and futuristic technology in a way that feels fresh and engaging.

The story follows Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green), a man who’s left paralyzed after a brutal attack that also takes the life of his wife. In a desperate search for answers, Grey is implanted with an experimental AI called Stem that not only restores his ability to walk but also gives him superhuman strength and reflexes. What begins as a straightforward revenge story quickly evolves into a mind-bending exploration of control, consciousness, and morality.

What really makes Upgrade stand out is its balance of gritty action and philosophical questions about AI and human autonomy. The technology in the film is believable and fascinating, and the suspense builds beautifully as Grey uncovers unexpected layers of his situation. The ending? Completely blew my mind.

The acting by Logan Marshall-Green is phenomenal, especially considering how much of his character’s emotional journey happens through his expressions and physicality. Despite the absence of over-the-top action or ridiculous antics, the film never feels slow or bogged down. Instead, it maintains a perfect pace that keeps you hooked until the final, jaw-dropping twist.

Upgrade is a must-watch for anyone who loves thought-provoking sci-fi and intense, character-driven stories. Even without any singing, dancing, or slapstick humor, it proves that sometimes the most compelling stories are those that don’t need to rely on comedy to be engaging. Really earns the beer is optional rating from me.

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Twisters #MovieReview

Movie Review / M Pax / April 25, 2025

Twisters – A Missed Opportunity for a Thrilling Disaster Flick

review Twisters

As a fan of disaster movies, I was excited to see Twisters, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. While it has its moments, this sequel/reboot ultimately feels like a missed opportunity, offering a retread of familiar ground without adding enough new thrills or excitement.

Too Much Racing, Not Enough Twister
One of the main issues with Twisters is the pacing. A lot of the movie is spent watching trucks and cars race across the landscape in an attempt to reach a twister. These scenes drag on and don’t build the tension in a meaningful way. Sure, there are moments of visual excitement when the tornadoes appear on screen, but the buildup to those moments is often lackluster and drawn out. It feels like the movie is more interested in showing us the journey to the disaster than the disaster itself, which is a bit of a letdown for fans of the genre.

Visually Exciting, but Familiar
When the action picks up, the visual effects do provide some stunning moments. The tornadoes themselves are impressive, and the scenes where the storm wreaks havoc can be visually engaging. However, these moments don’t quite compensate for the predictability of the story. It’s the same basic formula as the original Twister—a group of people racing against time and nature to confront an unstoppable force—but with a few twists that end up feeling predictable instead of interesting.

Not Cheesy Enough for Fun, Not Thrilling Enough for Drama
Another downside to Twisters is its tone. It’s not cheesy enough to fall into the guilty pleasure category, like some of the best disaster films, but it’s also not thrilling enough to be taken seriously. The stakes never feel high enough to make you care deeply, and the drama lacks the energy to carry the film. It’s as if the filmmakers tried to strike a balance between grounded realism and outlandish disaster spectacle, but neither aspect is fully realized, leaving the movie feeling a bit flat.

References to the Original, But Not Enough Substance
While there are some references to the original Twister film, they feel more like fan service than meaningful callbacks. The story doesn’t add anything particularly new or exciting to the genre. Instead of taking the concept in fresh, unexpected directions, Twisters mostly feels like the same movie with a few minor tweaks.

Final Thoughts

I give it 3 beers. It might be more fun then. Twisters isn’t a disaster movie I’d recommend unless you’re a die-hard fan of the genre or the original film. It doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking and spends too much time on predictable plot points instead of focusing on what makes disaster movies fun—over-the-top action, crazy destruction, and thrilling, heart-pounding moments. If you’re looking for a truly exciting and fresh disaster flick, Twisters might leave you disappointed.

Here’s the trailer:

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Electric State Sci-Fi Movie Review

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / April 11, 2025

Netflix’s The Electric State delivers a visually rich and quirky take on a dystopian America, blending war, nostalgia, and humor in an offbeat adventure. Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, the film reimagines recent history with a robot war, VR escapism, and a mysterious road trip across a crumbling world.

The story follows Michelle (Green), a teenager on a mission to save her brother. The catch? His consciousness has been transferred into a robot—one of many now outlawed and restricted to a zone in the Southwest U.S. And, his body is somewhere else, and she has to figure out where. Along the way, she teams up with Keats (Pratt) and his own robotic sidekick. They smuggle goods in and out of the robot zone.

The film is packed with unique world-building details, like the test Michelle’s brother, Chris, takes at the start—mirroring the one Einstein took as a child. It’s a fun little nod to history, adding to the film’s slightly surreal tone, and the story takes place in the 1990s, but not the 1990s as we remember them. Yes, an alternative history. The war itself was won in an unusual way. Humans developed VR systems allowing their robotic counterparts to fight while they stayed distracted in a digital paradise. It’s a clever concept, though the film doesn’t dive too deeply into the implications.

Where The Electric State shines is in its visuals and the quirky charm of its robots. They’re often funny, even endearing, adding heart to the film’s post-apocalyptic setting. The overall plot is pretty predictable—standard “save the family” fare—but it moves along well enough to stay entertaining.

While it doesn’t break new ground, The Electric State offers a fun, visually engaging journey with a solid mix of action, humor, and heartfelt moments. If you like road trip movies with a side of robot rebellion, it’s worth the watch. So, I give it a one beer rating.

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Titans Clash in the Monsterverse: A Roaring Double Feature #MovieReview

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / March 21, 2025

Welcome to the Monsterverse!

If you love massive monsters, city-destroying battles, and a world where logic takes a backseat to epic mayhem, then Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire are cinematic treasures you can’t miss. These films deliver everything a monster movie enthusiast craves: jaw-dropping fights, jaw-unhinging roars, and a journey into a hollow Earth that feels like a nod to classic adventure tales.

Godzilla vs. Kong: Clash of the Titans

The first of the pair sets the stage for a rivalry of epic proportions. Godzilla, cast as the antagonist by circumstances, clashes with Kong, who earns the audience’s sympathy thanks to his bond with Jia, the last of Skull Island’s indigenous people. Jia’s connection to Kong and her ability to communicate with him adds a touching layer to the chaos.

The hollow Earth concept steals the show, offering a wild, otherworldly take on the idea of an entire ecosystem hidden beneath our feet. The visuals are stunning, and the sense of discovery is reminiscent of classic adventure novels like She or Erewhon, where explorers uncover ancient civilizations and hidden worlds. As for the battles? They’re nothing short of jaw-dropping—massive, destructive, and wildly entertaining. You might end up rooting for both monsters, even as cities crumble under their feet.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – An Epic Continuation

The sequel ups the ante with a deeper dive into hollow Earth, expanding the mythology of the Monsterverse. We learn more about Jia’s heritage and the ancient connection between her people and the titans, adding an emotional depth to the epic battles. The film embraces its larger-than-life premise with gusto, throwing in more titans and cranking up the stakes.

The battles are as explosive as ever—if anything, it’s a miracle there’s a single skyscraper left standing on Earth. And while the action is thrilling, the film doesn’t shy away from its emotional core. The ending, dripping with sentimentality, might even bring a tear to your eye . I actually liked this one better than the first, probably because we get to spend a lot more time in hollow Earth.

The Verdict

Both films revel in the outlandish and the larger-than-life, requiring viewers to suspend belief and just enjoy the ride. The Monsterverse feels like a love letter to fans of giant creature features, combining dazzling visuals, compelling lore, and action that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Sure, the human characters might take a backseat to the roaring, stomping titans, but they still bring heart to the spectacle—especially Jia and her bond with Kong.

So, yeah, they earn the coveted “beer is optional” rating. If giant monsters battling it out over cityscapes and hidden worlds sounds like your kind of fun, these movies are pure, unadulterated popcorn bliss. They’re hokey in the best way, thrilling in every way, and proof that the Monsterverse is still roaring strong.

Here are the trailers:

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Science Fition Movie Review: Wild Robot

Movie Review / M Pax / February 14, 2025

🌟 A Heartwarming Journey, On and Off the Screen

As someone who adored the book The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, I went into the movie with high hopes—and I’m thrilled to report that it didn’t disappoint. The film captures the heartwarming essence of the story, delivering a visually stunning and emotionally rich experience that left me with the same warm glow as the book.

Heart Meets Adventure

The movie retains the heartfelt story of Roz, the robot who finds herself on a deserted island and learns to adapt, survive, and connect with her new surroundings. While the book delves more deeply into philosophical questions about humanity, survival, and the nature of relationships, the movie leans into the emotional journey, making it a touching experience for viewers of all ages.

Visually Captivating

The visuals are nothing short of spectacular. The island comes alive with vibrant colors, stunning landscapes, and detailed animation that captures the wild beauty of Roz’s new home. The design of Roz herself is both mechanical and endearing, perfectly blending her robotic nature with her emotional growth throughout the story.

A Worthy Adaptation

While the book provokes deeper thoughts (as books often do), the movie stands as an excellent companion to the original. It may not explore every nuance of Peter Brown’s writing, but it succeeds in capturing the heart and message of the story. If anything, it’s inspired me to pick up the rest of the series—I’m eager to see where Roz’s journey leads next!

Wild Robot earns the coveted “beer is optional” rating. I would happily watch The Wild Robot again, just to immerse myself in its world and experience Roz’s story unfold once more. It’s a testament to the film’s ability to stay true to the spirit of the book while carving its own path as a beautiful piece of art.

If you haven’t yet seen The Wild Robot or read the book, I highly recommend both. Together, they create a powerful and heartwarming tale of connection, growth, and what it means to be alive.

Here’s the trailer:

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#SciFi #MovieReview: Infinite #sciencefiction

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / January 17, 2025

When a movie has Mark Wahlberg front and center, you go in expecting a certain level of action-packed fun. And Infinite delivers on that front… but not much else. Unfortunately, the story was so thin it barely existed. Any time the plot started to get remotely intriguing, it was interrupted by explosions, vehicle chases, or flashy fight sequences.

There’s no denying that some of the action was impressive. If you enjoy watching cars fly through the air and nifty sword maneuvers, there’s plenty of eye candy here. But action alone can’t carry a movie, and Infinite tries to coast on adrenaline without giving the audience anything to latch onto. Even my Husband Unit—who usually loves action flicks—said this one was a dud.

The concept of the Infinite, people who can remember their past lives and accumulate knowledge and skills over centuries, should have made for a fascinating story. But instead of exploring that cool idea, the movie shoves it to the side in favor of what feels like “action porn”—endless stunts and set pieces with little substance tying them together.

Because I almost fell asleep, it gets a 3.5 beer rating. One scene involving a plane and a sword saved this movie from a 4 beer rating. The movie is worth watching for that alone. It’s near the end of you just want to fast forward to that part. Infinite ended with the potential for sequel. Please don’t!

In the end, Infinite is the kind of movie you’ll watch for the explosions and stunts, not the story. If you’re looking for mindless entertainment with a lot of running, driving, and sword-swinging, this might be up your alley. But if you’re hoping for an interesting or thought-provoking sci-fi adventure, this one might leave you feeling empty.

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