By Chris Snellgrove | Published
There are many post-apocalyptic movies out there, but most of them share the same problem: by the end, you feel as hopelessly sad as the characters on screen. Too many directors think that the key to this genre is to simply give us a place behind the scenes of despair, but what audiences really want is a film that uses a futuristic fictional apocalypse as a lens to help us understand our present day. And if you're ready for the kind of post-apocalyptic movie full of both poignant philosophical questions and killer action sequences, it's time to stream a Tom Cruise movie. Forgetting on Netflix.
The Structure and Temptation of Forgetting
In this future world ForgettingThe world is uninhabited. We follow the adventures of two of the last humans on earth as they explore the post-apocalyptic desert while trying to stay one step ahead of violence and mystery. After a NASA astronaut crashes on Earth, however, begins a wild tale of technology, clones, and identity that tragically merges the past with the future.
Action legend Tom Cruise is the main star Forgettingbut he is joined by some big names, including Morgan Freeman, whose gentle authority gives the film a sense of concentrated vulnerability. The film also stars Olga Kurylenko (best known to action fans for her role in the James Bond films. Quantum of Solace) and Golden Globe-winning actress Melissa Leo. Finally, the cast includes the talented Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, still best known for his role as a thief. Game of Thrones.
Audiences and Critics are Mixed
At the box office, Forgetting grossed a respectable $287.9 million against a budget of $120 million. Those aren't exactly Marvel numbers, but the film's profits are a reminder that there's still money to be made in smart, cerebral sci-fi wizards. Unfortunately, box office success did not translate into critical acclaim.
In Rotten Tomatoes, Forgetting it has a critical ratio of 53 percent. In general, critics felt that the story was too weak but it was supported by a great production value and an outstanding performance from Cruise. The film also has a Popcornmeter rating of 61 percent, which means it's (barely) breaking into “new” territory with audiences if not with critics.
Oblivion Is Worth Your Time
The movie obviously didn't win over many critics, so why broadcast it Forgetting today? First, the story feels really original, helping the film stand out among the overcrowded genres. Make no mistake, this is a movie for friends who think there are no new sci-fi or post-apocalyptic stories to tell.
In addition, Forgetting it's one of those movies that will give you something to think about long after you turn off the TV and go to bed. On a sci-fi scale, this is more Star Trek than Star Wars when it comes to delivering an intelligent and reflective story. Admittedly, that makes it a terrible “turn off your brain” movie, but it's worth watching if you want something to think about as you process one action sequence after another.
Speaking of which, this film's clever storytelling doesn't stop it from pulling off some killer action scenes, some of which even make Cruise look great. Objective: Impossible the sweat of shame. These scenes are well spaced, too. Any time you think you're in danger of tuning out, you'll find high-octane action to help keep your attention. And thanks to the aforementioned high production value, these scenes, like the rest of the film, are stunningly beautiful.
Will you find Forgetting as a refreshing change like I did, or will you want to turn it off and watch Star Wars instead? You'll never know until you stream it on Netflix. After that, you may never look at anything from the moon to a person in a mirror the same way again.
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