The effects were pretty good for the budget of the film and the story was ... well, ridiculous, but at the same time a reasonable attempt. It was the acting and the dialogue that put me off. Imagine that: from the country of Russian literature, theater, ballet and corrupt governing you get something that is technically OK, but artistically bad. It's possible that if I didn't realize the twist from the very first scenes I would have enjoyed it more, I don't know.
I am glad Russian movie making is evolving and starting to produce fantasy and sci-fi, but it's so at the very beginning. And then the war. It's a shame, really. And it's easy to criticize a film industry that is nowhere near the wealth and history that Hollywood has. You need so many people to make a film and every single issue will have a negative impact on the viewing experience. But I do hope and expect to see more and more cultures add their own distinctiveness to the cinema world.
Bottom line: not a good film, but a good attempt. It felt like the crew just didn't fit the formulaic plot more than a failure in the filmmaking itself. Perhaps more than less creative freedom is indicated. At least fail spectacularly if you do.
I am glad Russian movie making is evolving and starting to produce fantasy and sci-fi, but it's so at the very beginning. And then the war. It's a shame, really. And it's easy to criticize a film industry that is nowhere near the wealth and history that Hollywood has. You need so many people to make a film and every single issue will have a negative impact on the viewing experience. But I do hope and expect to see more and more cultures add their own distinctiveness to the cinema world.
Bottom line: not a good film, but a good attempt. It felt like the crew just didn't fit the formulaic plot more than a failure in the filmmaking itself. Perhaps more than less creative freedom is indicated. At least fail spectacularly if you do.
