Annihilation (Review)
Annihilation is Provides Enthralling Science Fiction with Feminism!
Annihilation was one of the movies that I was most looking forward to in 2018. With an incredible cast led by Natalie Portman, and the visionary director Alex Garland helming it, there was a lot of talent behind this film. However, there have been instances where all the right pieces seem to come together, but never end up fitting just right. Luckily, Annihilation is a spectacular science fiction film.
Natalie Portman finds herself sent into the great unknown as she leads a team into an abnormality spreading across the Earth. This mission though is quite personal for her as she looks for the cause behind her husband’s (Oscar Issacs) bizarre illness the abnormality inflicted on him. Inside they are exposed to awe-inspiring sights and deadly threats as they try to find the cause of this incredible event.
Annihilation sports some truly incredible visuals. Inside the anomaly (called the shimmer) plants and animals transforming in bizarre ways, and Garland manages to sell it all beautifully. Honestly, the idea behind some of the transformations is a bit hokey, but the presentation is so organic that you never question what you see before you. I mean, there are literally plants in the shape of people at one point and Annihilation manages to make it work. Of course, the science behind it all is questionable, but it’s never enough to pull you out of the world that Garland creates for audiences. It’s oddly beautiful, yet chilling at the same time.
It wasn’t until partway through the movie that it dawned on me that the core team in Annihilation is made up of women. It could be because I’m just that oblivious, but I like to think that this is actually a sign of solid filmmaking. At no point did the question of the gender of their roles even enter my mind. They were never sexualized or sucked into only talking to each other about men. Instead, they were just brave characters venturing into the great unknown to find a way to save the planet. To be perfectly honest, it’s one of the best examples of feminism I’ve seen in recent memory and something that Hollywood should strive to replicate in the future.
Portman excels in her role as the military scientist, Lena. The role calls for a balance of femininity with physical strength, and Portman juggles them effortlessly. Her character seems just as at home looking through a microscope, as she does blasting away with an assault rifle. In fact, Portman’s performance is key when it comes to Annihilation. After all, the cast is relatively small which puts a lot of weight on Portman’s shoulders to hold it all together. Honestly, she gives an empowering performance the speaks to the many sides and abilities women have in real life.
If you’re expecting a lot of action, then you might be a bit disappointed with Annihilation. There are certainly some intense moments, but for the most part, it’s a slow paced film that takes its time letting you soak in all the details and the majesty of it. Garland seems to know that the background itself is very much a character in the film and allows it to play its part when it comes to frame composition. Like the explorers in the movie, Annihilation takes its time to let you take in all the details of this familiar, yet alien environment.
If you’re a fan of science fiction, then Annihilation is definitely a film you will want to see in theaters. It’s not exactly high science fiction, but the premise comments on a number of themes and will leave audiences thinking about them long after the credits roll. Alex Garland creates an enthralling world, populated with characters that the audience can easily connect with. It’s unclear whether Garland will be adapting the other two novels in the trilogy that Annihilation is based on, but if he does I’ll definitely be standing in line for tickets.
