Movie Breakdown: Life

Pre-Screening Stance:

I didn’t much like director Daniel Espinosa’s Safe House, but that’s not stopping me from looking forward to Life.  The film has a nice Alien vibe, and it stars the talented trio of Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson.  Cue it up!

Post-Screening Ramble:

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that Life was made long before Jake Gyllenhaal or Ryan Reynolds became household names.  It has a distinct low-rent feel, like the sort of film you’d stumble across late at night and then watch just because of the familiar faces on the cover.  The movie isn’t outright terrible – it hums along and is occasionally entertaining (and gross), but there’s absolutely nothing about it that’s memorable.  In fact, even I sit here now – less than 24 hours after having seen it – I’m having a difficult time recalling what happened in the damn thing.  Further complicating the matter is Gyllenhaal and Reynolds, who are definitely in Life but their roles don’t feel even remotely important, which is rather weird.  They’re so famous and all over the marketing for the film, but I couldn’t tell you the names of their characters even if tried.  Those two must have really owed someone a big favor.  Or it was just an easy payday.  Or both?  Who knows.  Regardless, they’re pretty useless in the film.

Unless you’re just really starved for some sci-fi, I’d wait a good long while to watch Life.  It doesn’t do anything fancy enough visually to warrant a trip to the theater, and it’s so forgettable that you’re better off watching it from the comfort of your couch so that you can occasionally nod off and dream about better movies.

One Last Thought:

Oddly enough, this movie didn’t actually do anything interesting enough to warrant another thought.  Drool, maybe, but definitely not another coherent thought.