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After Earth (2013), PG-13, 1 star

Jaden Smith "taking a knee down".
Well, I'm really shocked. I will say that this marks the death of M. Night Shyamalan's career. There is nothing pure and joyful about this movie. The characters were uninteresting, the acting was so bad, and the special effects were nothing special. No question that this is the worst movie of the year, possibly the worst kids movie ever. Rare rating: 0 stars out of 4 stars.

 That little excerpt is a brief review of The Last Airbender 3 years ago. When a science fiction film comes along, I am salivating for originality, not stupidity. What I got from this a movie is a stupid story with lots of holes as to why Earth has transferred and why other mediocre decisions hamper with the lead character. I was constantly laughing throughout the movie.

Let me try to summarize and analyze this story and if I make errors, forgive me. Something environmentally disastrous had to force the human population to abandon Earth. They settle on a new planet called Nova Prime. The Ranger Corps, a peacekeeping organization commandeered by General Cypher Raige (Will Smith), gets into a bitter rivalry with an alien civilization called the S'krell who tries to invade Nova Prime. I'm laughing already while writing this review. Number one: Who names a character Cypher Raige? Oh, wait...we'll get to him in a moment. Number two: I cannot comprehend on why exactly the S'krell wants to invade Nova Prime.

Cypher's son, Kitai (Jaden Smith) is struggling physically and psychologically in his life. He blames himself for the death of his sister, Senshi. The Ursa, a large, predatory species had killed her during a mission who senses fear. They are like snakes, I don't know. Why are they blind? Kitai trains to become a Ranger and because of his recklessness, he is rejected and Cypher is really disappointed in him. However, Faia, Kitai's mother, urges Cypher to take Kitai on a last mission before retirement. Another cliched last mission plot that urges the audience that danger will erupt.

Their spaceship is caught in an asteroid shower that forces them to crash-land to a desolated Earth. So, Cypher and Kitai are the only survivors. Cypher's legs are broken and the beacon that would reach communication is damaged and the tail section of the ship is located somewhere. That is Kitai's mission: to locate a the tail section of the ship. He gives Kitai a weapon, a wrist communicator, and fluid for his oxygen. Huh?

Jaden's so happy to be in this movie. And, Will does not seem to be in high spirits.
Let's start with M. Night Shyamalan, the director. When I saw The Sixth Sense, I was entranced by the whole story and the characters. The twist in that movie is one of the most unpredictable twists in cinematic history. But, now, he seems to be too fond of slow pacing, undeveloped characters, and the "twisted" ending.

Although, this movie does not have a "twisted" ending, the story is just ridiculous. Will Smith and the viewers are just watching Jaden trying to survive in the movie. His acting is nowhere near emotionally satisfying or caring as Jaden in The Pursuit of Happyness, also co-starring with his father. He seems confused with that accent which I could not even perceive what it is. Is it a futuristic accent? Yikes, thank God, I am going to be dead. Even, Will Smith does not seem to be charismatic to be in this movie.

Some of the visual shots are good, but the CGI animals are as cheesy as many other films with cheesy CGI. The visual shots are the reason why that I gave this movie 1 star. Does Shyamalan even care to make a good movie anymore? I thought Unbreakable was an underrated masterpiece, and Signs had a good and imaginative story. His recent work is just unbearable. This movie looks like an intern putting bleached colors and the first version of CGI animals on screen with a failing script. One of the worst movies of the year. M. Night Shyamalan, you can proceed back to your grave. R.I.P. Shyamalan's imagination and good scripts.

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