‘Jupiter Ascending’ Never Ascends to Level of ‘The Matrix’

You clean toilets for a living. Imagine getting suddenly transported to a distant planet, shown ancient halls glowing with a thousand candles, and a stone replica of you—carved a million years ago.
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
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You clean toilets for a living. Imagine getting suddenly transported to a distant planet, shown ancient halls glowing with a thousand candles, and a stone replica of you—carved a million years ago.

And imagine suddenly being addressed as “Your Majesty,” because you’re the exact genetic recurrence of this woman immortalized in marble, and because you were—and are—Earth’s savior.

“Jupiter Ascending” is a thematic cornucopia of “Star Wars/Trek/Gate,” “The Matrix,” “Predator,” “Wolf,” even “Turbo” (the snail cartoon), and at least seven more.

A baroque-styled spaceship inside the Death Star-like battlestation in "Jupiter Ascending." (Warner Bros.)
A baroque-styled spaceship inside the Death Star-like battlestation in "Jupiter Ascending." Warner Bros.
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
Mark Jackson is the chief film critic for The Epoch Times. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by a classical theater conservatory training, and 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is listed in the book "How to be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to film, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, martial arts, rock-climbing, qigong, and human rights activism. Mark is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic.
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