The Wandering Earth; or, Space: 2019
Beijing No. 3 Transportation Division reminds you. Routes
are countless. Safety is foremost. With unregulated driving, your loved ones
might end up in tears.
The Wandering Earth is the latest Chinese production which
broke many financial records and climbed the divine top of the domestic box-office after such recent hits as Wolf Warrior 2, Operation Red Sea,
and The Mermaid. It is based on a novella of the same name written by
science-fiction author Liu Cixin and tells the larger-than-life epic tale of a
few good men (and one woman) who are on a mission to save mankind.
Release Info
Directed by: Frant Gwo Starring: Qu Chuxiao, Ng Man-tat, Zhao Jinmai, Wu Jing
Language: Mandarin Original Title: 流浪地球 Runtime: 125 min
Plot
In the year 2061, the Sun expands rapidly and is about to
devour the Solar System within the period of 300 years. In order to survive,
countries on Earth join forces, resources, and technology in order to realise
the most daring plan ever invented: move our home planet 4.2 light years away
to the Alpha Centauri system. Liu Peiqiang (Wu Jing) is a Chinese astronaut
assigned to a space station that will help Earth navigate as it moves out of
the Solar system. He leaves his son, Liu Qi (Qu Chuxiao), under the care of his
grandfather, Han Zi'ang (Ng Man-tat). Seventeen years later, adult Liu Qi and
his adopted sister, Han Duoduo (Zhao Jinmai), sneak out from the underground city
and grandfather Han runs searching for them. As Earth passes by Jupiter, the
planet’s gravitational spike causes devastating earthquakes that disable many
fusion thrusters across the globe and put the Earth on a collision course with
Jupiter. The only way our protagonists can save the day is by restarting the thruster
engine located in Sulawesi.
Moving Out: Extreme Edition
Director Frant Gwo, having only two directing credits prior
to this film, is allegedly a major sci-fi buff who spent a lot of years
studying the genre. Evidently, The Wandering Earth is a visually pleasing piece
of entertainment that very much feels like “The Best of Science Fiction”
compilation. Two years in the making, three thousand concept maps and countless
storyboards resulted in a mash-up filled with nods and references to such
classics as Armageddon (1998), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Blade
Runner (1982), and Space: 1999 (1975-1977).
The Wandering Earth was indeed a financial risk for the
Chinese movie industry, considering the fact that they have never done a movie
on such a big scale before, but they certainly passed this test. You can feel
the grandeur of the movie’s rich world in almost every shot, which is enhanced
by Roc Chen and Liu Tao’s towering music score. The studio sets and practical
effects combined with CGI are definitely top notch across the board. Hollywood
was given a good run for their money in this aspect.
However, excellent technical execution does not mean that
The Wandering Earth can be regarded as an instant masterpiece by default. There
are a few things which really distract the viewer from fully enjoying what is
presented on the screen. First of all, the film lacks necessary exposition in
the moments where it very much needs it. The first act and the ending have
exposition, but the middle is all about the action without explanation.
Secondly, there are too many characters doing too much epic stuff. From a merry
band of three heroes, they grow to (about) 10 in the finale. Thirdly, the film
desperately wants to pass itself as memorable. Remember the driving safely
quote from the review’s beginning? It is reiterated by the truck’s AI at least 6 times
throughout the story, hoping to enter the pantheon of such classic citations as
Tears in Rain monologue or Open the Pod bay doors, HAL exchange.
Yet, while not matching the greatness of its predecessors,
The Wandering Earth is still an entertaining flick. The story is interesting,
the stakes are high, and there are some good performances by Qu Chuxiao, Li
Guangjie, Ng Man-tat, Zhao Jinmai, and Wu Jing. An honourable mention goes to Arkady
Sharogradsky for providing the most over the top portrayal of a Russian
astronaut in the history of cinema.
Recommendations
All things considered, if you thought that, for example,
Armageddon is THE most bombastic and overblown motion picture ever made, then
you are wrong. The Wandering Earth is Armageddon but on METH, and it communicates the message of generational sacrifice. It is a fun
sci-fi movie for one time. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the story about how the
Chinese tamed “the right stuff” and rescued our degenerate Caucasian butts by
setting Jupiter on fire.
Overall score: 7/10
