Mortal Engines (2018) is a film that combines science fiction and adventure and was directed by Chrisitan Rivers and produced by Peter Jackson. The movie is based on a book written by Philip Reeve. The film’s setting is a unique dystopian world filled with technological advancement, war, and rebellion wherein entire cities move on gigantic wheels in a post-apocalyptic future. Blending magnificent visuals and high-paced action, Mortal Engines makes a remarkable attempt at adapting steampunk style adventures from the young adult dystopian genre.
Plot Summary
The setting of this masterpiece is in a far-off future after the “Sixty Minute War,” a catastrophic event, wiped out most of humanity. The new world comprises enormous cities that are able to move and are deployed within wastelands, consuming smaller areas in a form of Municipal Darwinism. London is the largest of these cities which is ruled by a man, Thaddeus Valentine, who is both ambitious and ruthlessly seeks control over what is left of civilization. He is one of the most powerful leaders of the remaining human factions.
The film follows Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar), a woman with a scarred face and a hidden agenda. She manages to sneak onto London with the intention of killing Valentine, whom she holds responsible for her mother’s death, but fails and is forced to escape. Fortunately she is rescued by Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan) who happens to be a young historian and was banished out of the city for uncovering Valetine’s secrets. Together, Hester and Tom go on a perilous journey through the wastelands, where they encounter Shrike (Stephen Lang), an unyielding cyborg, and resistance fighters along with airship pilots. It turns out that Shrike has a personal connection with Hester.
As Tom and Hester try to contend with this brutal reality, they slowly uncover Valentine’s designs of a superweapon based on Old World technology. It is powerful enough to decmate cities in a blink of an eye. To thwart him from bringing more chaos to the world, they decide to join hands with the anti-traction league, which is led by the courageous Anna Fang (Jihae). The film reaches its climax when a mobile London city battles against the pre-fighters, leading to a world deciding ending.
Themes and Analysis
Mortal Engines has a number of themes that are interesting to explore in the context of its fictional world and civilian life.
A resonant theme featured int the film is the imposing risk that forbidding Technologies need not possess any active control over their resources to impose great damage. The movie depicts that weaker settlements are devoured by London, which represents a domineering force epitomizing imperialist aggression. This serves as an analogy for contemporary world order. Valentine epitomizes this ideology, being ready to spend the lives of millions in order to remain in control. He reminds us of leaders who abuse technology and resources for their benefits.
The second most important concept is that of resistance and rebellion. Hester and Tom along with Anna Fang and the Anti-Traction League have by their actions, gave courage to those who resist to oppression. They demonstrate that it is possible to survive and refuse to surrender ones ethics. The clash of mobile cities and the erect of stationary civilization exposes opposing philosophies: one of conquest and one of sustainability.
The movie also explores the aftermaths stemming from previous errors. The universe of Mortal Engines serves as a warning regarding the humanity’s abuse of technology. The Sixty Minute War, which was fought with civilization’s near superweapons, all but destroyed humanity. The tale implies that if people are not careful in ensuring they learn from their previously made mistakes, things can go south very quickly. Such concerns are especially pertinent in a world with nuclear weapons and ecological disasters, where technology without proper checks and balances can prove quite dangerous.
Finally, Mortal Engines examines the concepts of personal identity in relation to social groupings. Hester, an outcast by nurture, attempts to come to terms with her past as well as her self-identity. Her path is one of realizing that she is not defined by her revenge or her scars. Conversely, Tom begins as a simple-minded follower of the London-centered history, accepting the concept but dawning on the fact that the actual history is remembered by the people who fight against tyranny. They evolve during the film and by doing so, demonstrate the power of breaking free and going against the norm.
Visuals and World-Building
Mortal Engines captivates audiences primarily with its impressive visuals, a feature that places it above its competitors. The intricate designs of the mobile cities, London in particular, are stunning to behold. The blend of the steampunk and futuristic styles gives the world of the movie a unique and dual feel. Airships, mechical constructions, and the entire wasteland is designed beautifuly and truely puts Philip Reeve’s novel to life, which very few dystopian movies are able to achieve.
Moreover, the film succeeds in giving us engaging action scene with the large scale battles, aerial dog fights, and thrilling chases that all do well to captivate the audience. It also helps that its cinematography and special effects are done to a strong level, creating a world that emphasizes the scale and danger.
Performances and Characters
Hera Hilmar gives a solid performance as Hester Shaw, a grim survivor who is determined to succeed. It is true that she could have gone deeper into her character and how she develops, but she certainly brings a presence. Robert Sheehan plays Tom, who attempts to add charm and relatability into the mix and in contrast to Hester’s tough demeanor.
Hugo Weaving fits the role of Valentine perfectly, demonstrating charm and menace at once. The way he plays a villain who justifies his wrongdoings for the ‘greater good’ is compelling. Jihae as Anna Fang is notable as a fierce leader of the resistance, bringing hope to its members.
Reception and Legacy
Mortal Engines was harshly critiqued and also failed at the box office regardless of its attempt at an elaborate world and captivating visuals. Some were impressed by its creativity and action sequences, but others criticized its pacing, characters, and reliance on common young-adult dystopian films cliches. Some viewers were left detached from the characters while others thought that the world was too intricate, and the film did not do it justice.
Neverthless, There was an attempt to create a cult following for the film among fans of the book series and viewers who admire its different style. Despite the reputation of other dystopian films such as The Hunger Games or Mad Max: Fury Road, it stands out as one of the most captivating and visually breathtaking films in the sci-fi adventure genre.
Conclusion
Mortal Engines is a cinematic endeavor that astonishingly depicts a world of Wandering Cities. Power, Resistance, and Redemption are central themes in the film. These themes, alongside the spectacle of the film, give the audience an in-depth examination of the outcomes of idle ambition and the struggle for a positive revolution.
Even if the film did not appeal to every viewer, Mortal Engines is still noteworthy for its original innovative ideas and breathtaking action sequences. The film drives home the notion that even in a world dominated by power, the strongest weapon remains the willingness to alter one’s fate.
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