Captive State

As Hollywood keeps churning out apocalyptic films, we are dealt with films that are grim, dark and ugly in nature. Let me give examples: "Fahrenheit 451", "The Omega Man", "The Andromeda Strain", "District 9", "9", "The Book of Eli", "Elysium"--get the point? So, when I saw the trailer on "Captive State", I thought this would be a very interesting premise, and I was right, however it just didn't click.

 

Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force in the year 2026, this story explores the lives on both sides of the conflict--the collaborators and dissidents. Gabriel (Ashton Sanders) and his brother Rafe Drummond (Jonathan Majors) are attempting to survive in an apocalyptic society whereas not truly knowing which is the enemy--a police commander, William Mulligan (John Goodman) and the police commissioner, Eugene Igoe (Kevin Dunn) or the extra-terrestrials monitoring the planet. This is a true suspenseful cat and mouse game with lives at stake.

 

Others to round out the cast are Vera Farmiga as Jane Doe, James Ransone as Patrick Ellison, Alan Ruck as Charles Rittenhouse, Madeline Brewer as Rula, Colson Baker as Jurgis, Kevin J. O'Connor as Kermode, Ben Daniels as Daniel and Caitlin Ewald as Anita.

 

This was grippingly directed by Rupert Wyatt ("Subterrain" '01, "The Escapist" '08, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" '11, "The Gambler" '14) plus TV and shorts. While this filmmaker hasn't helmed a plethora of films, what he has directed has certainly been intensely gripping. I usually say filmmakers should branch out and direct something fresher and different, but my take is that Wyatt would be better off doing what he does best. It will be interesting to see his "Storm King" which he wrote and directed now in pre-production. However, the problem with this lies in the writing by Erica Beeney ("The Battle of Shaker Heights" '03) and Wyatt ("Subterrain" '01, "The Escapist" '08) plus shorts. These writers have limited experience, but even with this as the equation, the writing should've been more cohesive and tighter than what the final script conveyed. The premise was interesting in that the bad guys weren't just the aliens, but the 'big brother' officials as well, however it all became mired in choppiness and then the story started meandering and it was apparent there were problems. Also it was shot way too dark that it became diificult to see some parts of the film. The acting by the ensemble cast was believable and plausible, but their performances weren't enough to keep the audience riveted.

 

If you like apocalyptic films, you'll love this even though the script needs polishing. As aforementioned, it has an interesting premise, but a good idea does not a good film make. You be the judge.

 

Out of 4 Stars: 1.5                                    Rated: PG-13                                       109mins.