“The Electric State,” directed by the Russo brothers, is an ambitious sci-fi adventure that attempts to blend high-stakes action with emotional depth. Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, the film is based on Simon Stålenhag’s 2018 graphic novel of the same name. Despite boasting a massive $320 million budget, the film has received mixed to negative reviews, with critics pointing out its predictable storytelling, lack of originality, and underwhelming execution.
In This Article:
Plot Overview
Set in an alternate version of the 1990s, the movie follows Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), a teenage girl who embarks on a journey across a dystopian America with her robot companion Cosmo and a war veteran named Keats (Chris Pratt). Her mission is to find her missing brother while navigating a world ravaged by the remains of a failed robotic uprising. The film aims to mix road-trip storytelling with deep sci-fi themes, but struggles to deliver a compelling narrative.
Stunning Visuals but Weak Execution
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its visual world-building. The cinematography and special effects successfully create a haunting, futuristic landscape, bringing Stålenhag’s vision to life. However, where the film excels in visuals, it falls short in storytelling and character development. The emotional weight of Michelle’s journey is diluted by excessive action sequences and overly long exposition.
Performance Analysis
- Millie Bobby Brown gives a strong performance, but the script does not provide enough depth for her character to shine.
- Chris Pratt, in the role of Keats, delivers a passable but unremarkable performance.
- The robot companion Cosmo, while visually appealing, lacks the emotional connection that films like The Iron Giant or Wall-E successfully established.
Despite a promising cast, the film fails to create emotional engagement, making the characters feel hollow and underdeveloped.
Critical Reception
The movie has received largely negative reviews from critics and audiences:
- Decider called the film “a visually stunning yet forgettable experience,” criticizing its lack of originality and reliance on CGI spectacle.
- The Associated Press described it as “big, ambitious, and dull,” noting that despite its high budget, the storytelling lacks creativity.
- The Verge stated that the movie struggles with pacing and fails to live up to the potential of its source material.
- Polygon pointed out that the film might have worked better as a video game, given its heavy reliance on world-building over character depth.
“The Electric State” is a visually impressive but ultimately disappointing sci-fi film. While the Russo brothers attempt to craft a compelling dystopian narrative, the film suffers from predictability, lack of emotional impact, and an over-reliance on special effects. Fans of Millie Bobby Brown or sci-fi spectacle films might still enjoy it, but for most viewers, it fails to leave a lasting impression.
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
By – Kartik
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