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New Release Birb: Annihilation

Annihilation
Starring: Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac
Written and Directed By Alex Garland
US Release Date: February 23rd, 2018
My First Viewing: March 1st, 2018
Image Credit: movieposter.com
Annihilation is the second film written and directed by Alex Garland, following up on the fantastic Ex Machina in 2015. The film stars Natalie Portman as Lena, an Army veteran-turned biology professor, and is based on the novel by Jeff VanderMeer. 

 It's hard to talk about this film without diving into spoiler territory. Portman's Lena and a team of four other women from different professional backgrounds lead a mission into The Shimmer, a mysterious land area where the laws of science are different than the outside world. Lena's husband Kane (Oscar Isaac) led the last team into The Shimmer and no one, including himself, knows how he got out alive. 

 This is definitely a film that should be seen on the biggest screen possible just from the visual and sound aesthetics. It is a gorgeous film (much like Ex Machina), that will leave some in the audience wondering what they just saw. Much like last year's The Witch and It Comes at Night, it appears like it's going to be one type of movie based off the trailers, but is completely different when you actually see it. If your thinking it's going to be a sci-fi action monster movie, you may be disappointed, but it's much bigger than that. This is a divisive movie that will have you looking for some answers, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Garland does an amazing job with this adaptation, and I look forward to seeing what he does next.  

 Annihilation is rated R for bloody violence, language, and brief sexuality. What were your thoughts? Look forward to your thoughts, either comment below, or on social media. 

-birb

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