Philip Reeve is an accomplished author who is responsible for several series of books, but he’s best known for the Mortal Engines Quartet. The first, and most successful novel was published in 2001. The time has finally come to adapt the bestseller into movie form, and what better filmmaker to shape these words into movie form, than Peter Jackson himself. While Jackson won’t be directing this adaption as he did with The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series, he is serving as a producer and also handles the screenplay. Mortal Engines definitely has the potential to be a major player this December, but does it actually deliver?
In a post-apocalyptic time, after what was called the Sixty Minute War, society and the way of life has changed to way that is completely unrecognizable. Cities have been turn into mobile vehicles and now it’s about who has the largest city and most resources. These “predator cities” prey on the smaller weaker ones by overtaking them and stripping them of their supplies and using their people as labor. It’s Darwinism at its worst. And as with any strong handed ruler, there are contingents of rebels who fight for a life of freedom while trying to avoid the tyranny of evil.
Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar) has her own agenda and wants to take down those in power, actually it’s one person that she has in her crosshairs. Thaddeus Valentine (Hugo Weaving) is a man on a mission. While he is not the man at the top, he answers to another, his patience, drive and thirst for power will always see him climbing over whomever is above him until Thaddeus is the top person. Whatever the mysterious motivation that drives Hester towards attempting to end Thaddeus will eventually come to light. For now however, she must trust in a new acquaintance, Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan), who she only just met under unfortunate circumstances if she is to achieve her ultimate goal. Mortal Engines is a story of loss, revenge and discovery that will lead all that involved on a great mystery.
Pack your patience because Mortal Engines feels like a looooooooooong movie. In actuality it’s only 128 minutes long and doesn’t feel like a boring movie at all. Yet, it does take a toll on viewers and I would have sworn I was in my seat watching this feature for a much longer time. The visuals are well done and that is what’s done really well. Whether intentional or not, there is a similar feeling to that of The Matrix franchise, particularly the times spent in “the real world.” I suppose it doesn’t help that the antagonist that franchise and this movie are played by the same actor, Hugo Weaving. Star Wars is another franchise that may have been an influence in the creation of this adventure.
Mortal Engines will be given the benefit of the doubt because the story is mostly interesting and the scenery is well done. Bringing this moving cities to life is challenging, and to do it in such a polished way deserves some kudos. The length could have been shortened and the predictability could have been lessened. Still though, this is a decently entertaining movie that should get some traction over the duration of December. Visually beautiful but the story gets clunky in parts, just like these great machines that you’ll be looking at for two hours. You can see it in theaters right now. Just remember, the bigger the screen, the better your experience will be.
