Let's start with the better stuff: The CGI and FX are very good and, more importantly, are used competently to propel the story line forward: They're very handsome if not always 100% believable. The actors also acquit themselves very well. Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield play their leading roles strongly and don't tend towards inappropriate histrionics (and I'll even give a nod to Ben Kingsley who could have played his part as totally over-the-top). Supporting cast such as Viola Davis also does a fine job. So, if FX/CGI and acting aren't the issues, then what is?
The entire setup, premise, and scientific underpinnings are beyond redemption. You learn at the very beginning about an armed conflict and later find out about the baddies but, frankly, I don't see how those baddies could possibly have mastered the technology necessary to do those nefarious deeds (especially after seeing their planet). Next, the whole setup depends upon finding a new leader and the idea that you would entrust that much responsibility to that leader is completely 100% absurd...like selecting the new chef of a 5-star restaurant based upon how they managed to create perfectly grilled burgers at McDonalds. Just Silly.
The ending is atrocious, too, and a cop out...and you also have to wonder how the colonists on LV-426 managed, all those years, not to check out their environment and find that alien ship until Burke gave them a clue it was practically right next door. ...just a bit too convenient. Admittedly I have not read the book so perhaps this movie left out key details, etc., but one can only judge what's presented. It's just super annoying and will likely bug you too.
The entire setup, premise, and scientific underpinnings are beyond redemption. You learn at the very beginning about an armed conflict and later find out about the baddies but, frankly, I don't see how those baddies could possibly have mastered the technology necessary to do those nefarious deeds (especially after seeing their planet). Next, the whole setup depends upon finding a new leader and the idea that you would entrust that much responsibility to that leader is completely 100% absurd...like selecting the new chef of a 5-star restaurant based upon how they managed to create perfectly grilled burgers at McDonalds. Just Silly.
The ending is atrocious, too, and a cop out...and you also have to wonder how the colonists on LV-426 managed, all those years, not to check out their environment and find that alien ship until Burke gave them a clue it was practically right next door. ...just a bit too convenient. Admittedly I have not read the book so perhaps this movie left out key details, etc., but one can only judge what's presented. It's just super annoying and will likely bug you too.