Alex Garland's "ANNIHILATION"

A movie review by Dennis D. McDonald

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

What if an extraterrestrial intelligence bypassed the eons-long and tedious pathways of "normal" evolution and just, shall we say, experimented with DNA-level cross-species and cross-biome manipulation? What if such an otherworldly power could duplicate the form and substance of terrestrial plants and animals in bizarre and disturbing ways while retaining bits and pieces of the originals?

Natalie Portman

ANNIHILATION attempts to answer and visualize these questions, long a staple of science-fiction. For the most part it succeeds admirably.

Actually, it succeeds more than just admirably.

The acting, photography, sound, and special effects are superb. See this on a big screen. I'll be surprised if you make it through the entire film without your jaw dropping open at least once.

What also sets this movie apart is Natalie Portman's acting. As in JACKIE she inhabits the shifting emotional garb of the main character with disturbing complexity. There are many ways this role could have been performed. She and director Garland somehow project believability in the midst of dreamlike terror. Impressive!

Review copyright (c) 2018 by Dennis D. McDonald. This review has also been published by aNewDomain here.