Unfortunately for them, however, the initially tiny creature they've taken on board turns out to have not only an incredibly rapid growth rate but a murderously aggressive approach to interacting with humans. It's also devilishly brilliant and resourceful.
Loss of life is treated with an unusual degree of sober reflection in the suspenseful clash of wits and survival skills that follows.
This is in obvious and welcome contrast to the innumerable Hollywood movies in which the bodies of anonymous, mown-down extras seem to pile up like so many chords of wood. It may also serve as a legitimate point of divergence from the movie with which many viewers will inevitably compare "Life" -- Ridley Scott's memorable 1979 franchise-begetter, "Alien."
Yet, while largely free of callousness in its portrayal of fatal violence, "Life" is so bleak and, at times, darkly ironic, that it can feel nihilistic. Thus, in whole passages of the dialogue discussing bereavement, there's not a glimmer or hint of faith in an afterlife. As a result, moviegoers may feel as confined in the script's secular, despairing outlook as the trapped space travelers do within their invaded craft.
The film contains some gory deaths and gruesome images, a few uses of profanity as well as numerous rough and several crude terms. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
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Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.
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CAPSULE REVIEW
"Life" (Columbia)
Director Daniel Espinosa and screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick adopt a serious tone in this ensemble sci-fi thriller set on board an international space station. Tasked with retrieving an unmanned capsule carrying samples back from Mars, the craft's crew -- Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds, Olga Dihovichnaya, Hiroyuki Sanada and Ariyon Bakare -- are thrilled to discover that they are in possession of the first living organism ever discovered beyond Earth. But the initially tiny creature they've taken on board turns out to have an incredibly rapid growth rate and a murderously aggressive approach to interacting with humans. Loss of life is treated with an unusual degree of sober reflection in the suspenseful clash of wits and survival skills that follows, while deft performances and some creative camera work serve to offset the familiarity of the premise. But the bloody details of the alien's rampage are suitable neither for kids nor for the squeamish among their elders. Some gory deaths and gruesome images, a few uses of profanity, numerous rough and several crude terms. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
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CLASSIFICATION
"Life" (Columbia) -- Catholic News Service classification, A-III -- adults. Motion Picture Association of America rating, R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
