Annihilation
Review by Myla Tosatto
Before I start my review, I wanted to let you know that Annihilation really threw me out of my comfort zone. I read the book. I knew what I was in for when I signed up to see the movie. Annihilation is a movie that deals with mutation and metamorphosis, two of my least favorite plot devices. Why did I want to see it? One answer- Girl Power. I could tell by the preview that this movie was going to pass the Bechdel Test for days, and I was right. Let’s just say that I made it through the super gruesome bits to watch Lena (Natalie Portman), Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Anya (Gina Rodriguez), Josie (Tessa Thompson), and Cass (Tuva) wander through a beautiful, yet dystopian jungle in search of answers while representing womankind. I loved that these characters didn’t need saving. In fact, they ran towards their fears. Dr. Ventress would say that’s because humans are self destructive. I would just like to think that the women onscreen were brave.
The movie is written and directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina) based on the book(s) by Jeff VanderMeer. Annihilation takes some liberties with the first book of the The Southern Reach trilogy and dips somewhat into the second book. Though not exactly true to the source material, Garland does a fine job keeping the beloved series alive. In fact, Area X looks exactly like I pictured it in the book. It is also more revolting in movie form. Gorgeous, yet disturbing. For this reason, children should ABSOULUTELY stay home. To be safe, don’t eat before or during the movie either. You’ll thank me for that bit of advice.
P.S. Don’t think I wasn’t thinking about Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) being married to Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) in this movie, because I was. All things lead back to Star Wars in Movie Myla’s brain.
Annihilation is now playing in theaters!