Howe reviews Life, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds.
After retrieving a pod that had been collecting samples from the planet Mars, six astronauts on board the International Space Station discover that there is indeed life on the red planet. After reviving a dormant microscopic cell, these astronauts soon realize that they have awoken a nightmare that, if it reached Earth, would destroy mankind forever.
Taylor reviews Power Rangers, starring Elizabeth Banks and five teenagers you have never heard of.
A group of ordinary American teens become superheroes when they accidentally discover ancient alien technology they must use to defend the Earth against an equally ancient, equally alien foe.
We say, “Life and Power Rangers are both worth the price of admission.”
TAYLOR: It’s odd that we both saw movies featuring ancient alien threats to the planet. Power Rangers is for kids or those who like comic book style action. The film felt like a lot of other movies, particularly Marvel films: big, loud, and cheeky. It was kind of The Breakfast Club (a group of teens in detention at school) meets Transformers (ancient giant technology does battle with other-worldy baddies). Surprisingly, I liked it.
HOWE: In the ‘80s we were given Alien, which in my opinion is the best sci-fi creature movie ever. Since then we have been given numerous pieces of difficult to swallow turkey. It has been a long time since we have had a movie that I believe could challenge Alien for that title. Life may be that film.
TAYLOR: The Power Rangers film has been updated from the ‘90s TV show well enough to feel current. It’s aimed at adolescent audiences and uses the themes of adolescence: discovery, expression, and experimentation, but audiences aren’t flocking to the film to learn. They want to see morphing followed by fighting, and this is what they will get. I’m sure this film will warrant sequels, which means I’ll have the opportunity to eat these words later, but for now I accept the Rangers’ opening volley. There’s little bad language, tidy violence, and no sexuality, so take your kids.
HOWE: Life is a beautifully haunted, crafted, well-acted and executed film. The acting by its stars feels tight and they all know what they are doing. The visuals are stunning, especially when it shows shots of the outside of the space station and around Earth. At the beginning, the alien looks cute and cuddly, but by the end of the movie it’s terrifying. The overall feel of the movie goes through stages: jovial to serious to scared to where if I was on that ship, I would be pooping my pants. It’s an excellent movie.
Howe gives Life 3.5 spacewalks out of 5.
Taylor gives Power Rangers 3.5 more magic gems out of 5.