After Earth: DVD Review
The Movie:
One thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind’s new home. Legendary General Cypher Raige (Will Smith) returns from an extended tour of duty to his estranged family, ready to be a father to his 13-year-old son, Kitai. When an asteroid storm damages Cypher and Kitai’s craft, they crash-land on a now unfamiliar and dangerous Earth. As his father lies dying in the cockpit, Kitai must trek across the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon. His whole life, Kitai has wanted nothing more than to be a soldier like his father. Today, he gets his chance.
This was one film that I missed during it’s theatrical run and I had people telling me left and right that it wasn’t all that great. As a fan of film in general I always choose to make my own decision myself and I’m glad I did. I think the biggest thing is that people keep expecting twists from M. Night Shyamalan and no one can seem to let go of The Sixth Sense. From what I can tell I don’t think he wants that to be his legacy. With a story by Will Smith, Shyamalan has created a film that is about the bond between father and son. The genre of the film is sci-fi but in actuality it just serves as the backdrop of the film. The premise is one that any parent can relate to: Trying to give your child the tools in life to survive on their own and make the proper decisions. The film worked for me because of the Smiths. If it was anyone else in either of those roles it wouldn’t have felt so personal like it did. It made me really want to pay more attention because of the relation between the two and made it that much more “real”. It really was a story with deep rooted meaning……and with a big alien creature running around. The creature and animals that threatened Kitai throughout the movie were basically metaphors for the curveballs that life throws at you. You have to find the strength to be brave and be the champion of all your fears. If you saw it in theaters and didn’t like it then I ask you to give it another viewing. I’m almost certain you’ll change your mind about it.
“Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity. Do not misunderstand me danger is very real but fear is a choice.”
Those were some very deep and true words that were spoken from Cypher’s mouth. If you really take the time and think about that quote I can almost guarantee that it will stick with you.
Special Features:
A Father’s Legacy – This feature shows Will and Jaden’s father/son relationship on and off screen.
1,000 Years In 300 Seconds – This is pretty much a quick rundown of the behind the scenes shooting of the film.
The Nature Of The Future – A look at the greenery and locations used to double for Earth 1000 years in the future.
