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Babylon AD
Directed by: Matthieu Kassovitz Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Gerard Depardieu, Charlotte Rampling, Melanie Thierry Synopsis: Vin Diesel plays Toorop, a mercenary hired to transport a "package" from Central Asia to New York. The package is Aurora, who may or may not hold the key to mankind's destiny - be it through the transmission of a virus or something else entirely. Accompanying them is Michelle Yeoh's character, Sister Rebecca who's charged with looking after Aurora's well being. Review: This movie has come under fire from a number of sources. I'm not particularly concerned with this as I review movies after watching them and I'm driven on how the movie makes me feel as opposed to being influenced by external points of view. That hasn't always worked (X-Files 2, for example). With Babylon AD, I found an entertaining movie that fell flat after the first two acts. I like Vin Diesel. He has made a career out of playing largely amoral characters that are forced to make choices. The movie world is bereft of new decent action stars and I think that Diesel, like Jason Statham is the best of what we've currently got (excluding Hugh Jackman and Matt Damon). When he delivers the opening narration in a world weary gravelly tone, I was immediately reminded of Riddick from the Pitch Black movies. I can only hope that more Riddick movies are made.
The future that Toorop inhabits is dark, drab and war torn. In Eastern Europe, firearms are being sold openly in the streets with tanks rumbling along the dirt roads. Not much different than now, I guess. This future is very well realised and as the movie progresses, it's clear that technology still plays a mighty role in our progression. Cyber punk influences come through in the use of gadgets and in the themes of genetic manipulation. I've seen criticisms of the movie in that we are not told how this future has come to pass, but I felt that the exposition was not needed. Bearing in mind that this movie is only 90 minutes long, with credits, there's no time for long winded explanations. Simply, the visuals give us a clue as a train passes over a massive crater (presumbaly caused by a nuclear explosion) with screens that protect from the fallout radiation that still permeates the man made valley. Also, Toorop makes a comment about the global warming effects.
Gerard Depardieu plays Gorsky, a kingpin that Toorop has had to work for before. The role is a bit tongue in cheek, and provides a little humour in an overall serious movie with little joy. His APC with gun cams dotted around the outside that provide real time footage as if the vehicle has windows is especially cool. Melanie Thierry plays a lightly engaging role as the genetically altered girl Aurora. Michelle Yeoh plays the strong female role by the numbers and appears to have been lifted out of any of her previous action flicks. Charlotte Rampling plays a religous priestess with venomous enthusiasm. So, two-thirds of the movie engage the viewer and help mold our views as to what is happening to the world. The problems start when Toorop and his group meet Aurora's father, Dr Darquandier and the big "twist" is revealed. When talkin about his parentage of Aurora, the Doctor reveals that he has been implanting babies with artificial intelligence. With what? It turns out that a computer has impanted knowledge in Aurora's mind and has somehow got her pregnant? This becomes even more ludicrous when, after an attack by two factions' soldiers, Aurora uses telekenetic ability to shield her and Toorop from a homing grenade. Throughout the movie, we have been privy to Aurora's enhanced abilities but this takes it to new extremes especially after discovering the origin of this ability. At this point I lost interest. What stuck with me was the vision of a dirty, grey Europe as opposed to the neon lit buildings in a New York that has become one corporate ad. The last scene, with Toorop looking after two toddlers in a cabin was totally unbelievable. It's disappointing that this movie could have been, if not another Blade Runner, then another Strange Days. Instead, it's been let down by someone or something. Although I began by saying I don't get influenced by other news surrounding a release, after viewing I can't help but wonder if the studios really did stick their oar in and spoil a potentially thought provoking movie. I'm sure that the reality is not that simple. Verdict: A great 60 minutes let down by the last 30. 5/10
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