Director: Alex Garland
Starring: Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac and Benedict Wong
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the recognition of Natalie Portman. Ever since the 1990’s, Portman has become an icon. Whether it’s ballet dancers, fashion designers or political figures, Portman has portrayed countless characters. Arguably, Portman’s finest strength as an actress has been her powerful commitment. She is one of those one of a kind actresses that has often poured her heart and soul into every role. Portman has seldom been afraid taking risks in her career by portraying complex characters which aren’t commonly likeable. Through abilities to create characters that audiences can easily relate to, Portman has become a beloved actress that audiences value. An actress with strong commitment to her craft, Portman has become an icon in entertainment. Throughout her commemorated career, the actress has manufactured many bold movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Portman and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “Annihilation” is my favourite. Released in 2018, Alex Garland’s movie offered a strong portrait of extra-terrestrial aliens causing a catastrophe. Packed with stunning action, strong storytelling and captivating acting, it’s one of the best science-fiction movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a strong performance by Natalie Portman, portraying a woman facing an apocalyptic destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Annihilation” a sci-fi classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about aliens, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. A captivating sci-fi classic, there are many strong reasons why “Annihilation” is a commemorated film that is worth watching.
“Annihilation” tells a story of a biologist that embarks on a dangerous expedition. Natalie Portman portrays Lena, a powerful biologist with charisma. Lena has often had a lifelong passion for professions of biology which she regards with affections. However, Lena’s life forever changes when she embarks upon an expedition that caused disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Lena questions her lifelong love for her profession causing trauma. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Lena is forced to wonder if it’s possible for her live in disaster. Experiencing tension, Lena is soon forced to question whether it’s possible for her to survive annihilation.
Alex Garland is fascinated with the themes of apocalypse. A strong filmmaker, Garland has often made engaging movies about the lives of people surviving disaster. His iconic movie “Dredd” offered a powerful portrait of police that seek to survive in an apocalyptic wasteland. With “Dredd”, however, Garland made his first ever apocalypse movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of individuals seeking to survive apocalyptic tragedy but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Garland captures a biologist that embarks upon a threatening expedition. Inspired by George Lucas’ “Star Wars: A New Hope”, Garland captures lives of woman seeking to survive in a galaxy by montages. For instance, montages enhance the planet entry scene. During this haunting scene, Lena embarks on an intense journey to discover a new planet. Using captivating montages, Garland constructs portrayal of apocalypse that’s compelling. Montages are complex techniques. As Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan” suggested, montages often enhance ballet films. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Garland caprices tensions that biologists on journeys are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Annihilation” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well-made. Inspired by Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner”, Garland effectively uses cross-cutting editing to capture tensions which biologists seeking exploration on a planet are often facing. For instance, cross-cutting editing elevates the planet action sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Lena faces tension when she finds out grim realities of living on a doomed planet. Using cross-cutting, Garland creates a portrait of planets that’s compelling. Furthermore, the music score is magnificent. Ben Salisbury’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that survivors on a doomed planet bear. Using phenomenal production, Garland captures tension that individuals on doomed places are facing.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Annihilation” is a science-fiction film the compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the tensions individuals on doomed planets are experiencing. For instance, silence elevates the planet farewell scene. During this tense scene, Lena bids emotional farewell towards her home planet. Through silence, Garland crafts a portrait of apocalyptic survival that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in movies. Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Drive” suggested silence is suited to crime thrillers. J.C. Chandor’s “A Most Violent Year” suggested silence often elevates classic crime movies. Nevertheless, it works well. Using an excellent screenplay, Garland captures apocalypse survivors that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Natalie Portman delivers one of her finest career performances as Lena. Portman achieved appreciation for playing ballet dancers. With “Annihilation”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a biologist embarking upon a journey but she succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, chairman and riveting in her most iconic role. Portman has always excelled at playing emotional women that face stress, and “Annihilation” showcased stresses. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actresses which is working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning show for Portman, the supporting cast is brilliant and worthy of appreciation. Oscar Isaac is outstanding, capturing the larger than life presence of a card counter. Benedict Wong is delightful, capturing the dedication of a scientist embarking upon an expedition. Lastly, Tessa Thompson merits recognition. She is unforgettable.
Fans of Natalie Portman would definitely enjoy “Annihilation” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular science-fiction classic, it honoured an actress that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about biologists investigating an annihilation on a doomed planet facing destruction, it’s a dazzling reminder about a commemorated actress with strong dedication that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 