Let’s face it: all the major Hollywood stars have made some bad films from time to time. However, there’s also something to be said about the highbrow standards most critics apply to their reviews, which see far too many decent films being labeled as stinkers simply because they aren’t Oscar-worthy masterpieces. Channing Tatum has unfortunately had a fair few films that fall into this category, including Jupiter Ascending. You’d never guess this since he’s been a massively popular superstar among his armies of fans for his looks, dancing skills, impossibly toned physique, and range of entertaining acting roles.
Ever since he burst onto the scene in Step Up, he’s become one of modern Hollywood’s most popular leading men. He’s gone on to show that he isn’t just another good-looking face, though. In recent years, Tatum has branched out a lot, exploring roles across genres from Westerns to dramas, rom-coms, and even sci-fi films. However, it was in the latter where one of his most notorious stinkers came from with Jupiter Ascending.
The thing is, though, for many audiences, it wasn’t actually that bad a film. Recently, updated reviews have given it a new life on streaming services, and people are finally starting to recognize that it has many good qualities.
‘Jupiter Ascending’ Had More Than Enough Talent to Hold It Down
Directed by the Wachowskis (who wrote and directed The Matrix), Jupiter Ascending was a 2015 sci-fi film that came with a fair amount of hype, given the names behind it. The Wachowski sisters once turned the world of sci-fi and SFX on its head through their success with The Matrix franchise. As a result, many audiences were already expecting great things from the film when it was first released. However, it wasn’t just the sisters who evoked these reactions, as the main cast was just as alluring.
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Apart from Channing Tatum, the film was led by Mila Kunis, who played the main character — Jupiter Jones — a seemingly ordinary young woman who soon learns that she’s descended from an ancient royal family. After learning her secret, she travels with Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), an enhanced soldier who protects her. Along the way to learning about her true heritage, Jupiter encounters many dangers in an entertaining film that blends space opera action with fantasy elements. Other great actors like Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Nicholas Hoult were also featured, and the film had more than enough quality going for it in the talent department.
‘Jupiter Ascending’ Is a Visual Spectacle With Lots of Potential
No one expected Jupiter Ascending to become the next Star Wars. However, it still had a lot going for it, and perhaps it should have received more notice than it ever got. For one, it was a visually pleasing film that featured plenty of great SFX and cinematography. In that sense, aside from the obvious visual appeal of its main stars, the film also showcased some dazzling shots in space, well-crafted action scenes, and many other striking elements.
Its costume design, weapons, and vehicles included some fascinating spaceships and flying bikes. The beautifully designed set pieces, colorful outfits, and the futuristic look that permeated all of it made for some great touches. All of these visual touches weren’t missed by Dais Johnston of Inverse, who described it as follows:
“The plot, honestly, is merely a vehicle for the visual language of the world it inhabits. From Caine’s little wolfen ears to the spaceships on Earth leaving crop circles, every detail is thought out, even if that thought is just “man, wouldn’t this look cool?” The costumes alone warrant a watch, every battle costume is badass and every ball gown extravagant.”
‘Jupiter Ascending’ Has Great World Building
While the film was skewered for issues like erratic pacing and weak dialogue, it was also underappreciated in other aspects. Among them, its attempt at world-building was admirable, and it tried to be original in a genre teeming with derivative work. While some critics didn’t like Eddie Redmayne’s performance and lambasted it as over-the-top, this could be forgiven as his role at least showed ambition.
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What was clear from the beginning was that the film wanted to do more. It felt like Jupiter Ascending had one eye on the future. Unfortunately, given its paltry 28% critical rating and measly $184 million earnings against a $176 million budget, it was doomed to be forgotten. However, given its popular run on streaming services, many viewers are now making it clear that it’s worth another look.
It Had Unrealized Franchise Potential
Unfortunately, one of the saddest aspects of the film bombing the first time around was that it remained a single release. However, with aspects like Eddie Redmayne being the main antagonist, Balem, and an entire world of other cool characters and villains to play with, it was obvious that the film envisioned more for itself. The fact that the main story was so obviously unfinished made clear that it harbored franchise ambitions. Sadly, we’ll never get to see that, though we can always give the original another watch. Jupiter Ascending is currently streaming on Max.
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