The Electric State Movie Review

The Electric State: This sci-fi adventure, which was directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, uses alternate history as its engine to journey around American wastelands in the 1990s.  Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), a teenager, has experienced the rapid growth of technology, a robot rebellion, and the consequences that followed. As a result, humans, led by tech mogul Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci), separated disobedient robots into what is now known as the Exclusion Zone.  However, Michelle believes her brother Christopher is dead, so she sets out to find him after meeting Cosmo (Alan Tudyk), a robot that was programmed by him.  Before the adventure begins, she joins forces with cocky smuggler Keats (played by Chris Pratt) and his robot friend Herman on the trip to Exclusion Zone.


The film on Afdah opens with a disheartening exchange between Michelle and Christopher, poorly executed by both Brown and Norman. Their performance is hindered by the lackluster dialogue crafted by screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, which lacks any charm. Additionally, the visual representation and staging of their sibling dynamic by the Russo brothers fails to ignite any chemistry, reflecting a rather uninspired directorial approach. This scene is intended to serve as the emotional core of the narrative, yet it is marred by awkwardly inserted flashbacks (edited by Jeffrey Ford) that attempt to illustrate Michelle's supposed connection to Christopher and her motivation to risk her life for a semblance of closure. Regrettably, the characters are portrayed in such a vague manner that the sense of urgency fails to resonate on screen.

Brown's performance improves slightly as the narrative progresses and the world-building becomes more engaging, though it never reaches a level of true captivation. Pratt, despite a career filled with unchallenging roles in mainstream films, occasionally makes bold acting choices and demonstrates an understanding of how to engage with the camera, yet this ultimately does not lead to a substantial impact. Tucci delivers a lackluster performance, seemingly going through the motions for a paycheck with his one-dimensional role. Furthermore, the film squanders the talent of Ke Huy Quan, who plays Dr. Amherst and P.C. in a thankless, exposition-heavy part that he attempts to elevate as best as he can. While other notable actors make brief appearances, none leave a lasting impression. A fascinating example of where we are in the filmmaking process, how we watch them, and how we evaluate them is The Electric State. 


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