Tatum, Kunis disappoint in new movie

For something hyped up for years with excessive ads on TV and online, “Jupiter Ascending” fell short. For months, high definition ads with supernatural visuals and Channing Tatum’s face advertised the sci-fi thriller sparingly. The film, however, failed to entertain or create characters that were memorable or unique.

Just because Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis star in the production, doesn’t mean the viewers will flock to theaters like they did for Avatar. Kunis’ character, Jupiter, was born in Russia in the “night sky,” which supposedly meant she was meant for greatness, according to the description on the back of the DVD set. If being born at night is an indicator for future greatness, there must be billions who are destined to be the queen of the universe, like Jupiter.

But Caine, played by Channing Tatum, has to travel to earth to take Jupiter to claim her cosmic inheritance, as she is considered first in line for the ruling family of the entire galaxy. Caine, a sort of galactical security guard, used to have wings as a member of an exclusive police force, but has since had them ripped out.

Anyway, Caine learns that Jupiter is royalty when she walks into a crowd of bees and isn’t stung, which means that she is a queen. Is this a real thing? I sure hope not. Eventually, the evil family falls, Jupiter returns to Earth, Caine gets his wings back and Caine and Jupiter fall in love. Sorry for the spoilers, but the cookie-cutter plot felt slow and predictable at all times during the film.

Even with bad characterization and plot, the film dazzled visually, as big sets, fancy establishing shots and detailed planets with unique geographical and architectural designs that were truly impressive. As scenes changed and developed, multitudes of new planets appeared, each uniquely appealing to the naked eye.

So, if it pops up on Netflix one day, spend a few hours looking at the pretty scenes of “Jupiter Ascending.” It is well worth a boring summer afternoon.