65 movie review (2023)
Introduction
Despite the potential for a captivating blend of B-movie excitement and heartfelt emotional depth, “65” struggles to find the right balance. With a hefty budget and a Super Bowl ad spot, the film had the ingredients for a thrilling experience. However, its inability to fully embrace its B-movie origins while also delivering a compelling family drama leads to a disjointed and unsatisfying result.
A Tale of Missed Potential
In “65,” the filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, known for their work on “A Quiet Place,” introduce a captivating premise set in a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth alongside futuristic civilizations. However, the film fails to fully explore the possibilities of this unique blend, leaving audiences craving a more immersive and imaginative experience.
Lackluster Action, Repetitive Sequences
The action sequences in “65” quickly become tiresome and repetitive. Jump scares, an overbearing score, and formulaic moments of peril permeate the film. Instead of capitalizing on the potential for thrilling encounters between Adam Driver‘s character, Mills, and the dinosaurs, the action falls flat and fails to deliver the excitement promised by the premise.
Underdeveloped Characters and Their Struggles
Mills, played by the talented Adam Driver, is reduced to a one-dimensional hero figure in “65.” The film squanders Driver’s intensity and fails to provide him with opportunities to showcase his full range as an actor. Similarly, Koa, portrayed by Ariana Greenblatt, lacks depth and remains a poorly defined character throughout the story. The absence of compelling character arcs diminishes the film’s ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level.
A Failure to Embrace the Ridiculous
While “65” hints at the potential for humor and B-movie charm, it falls short of fully embracing these elements. The blending of advanced technology and the prehistoric era could have resulted in delightful and entertaining scenarios. Unfortunately, the film rarely capitalizes on this potential, missing opportunities for comedic relief and creative use of Mills’ advanced gadgets.
Inconsistent Editing and Borrowed Elements
The filmmakers of “65” exhibit flashes of creativity with clever camerawork. However, the film suffers from erratic editing choices that hinder its overall flow and impact. Additionally, the heavy borrowing from the “Jurassic Park” franchise, while perhaps inevitable in a dinosaur-themed film, contributes to a lack of originality and fails to establish a distinct identity for “65.”
A Late-Game Dash of Excitement
Towards the end of the film, “65” finally delivers a sequence filled with elements of suspense and excitement. A combination of quicksand, a menacing Tyrannosaurus rex, a well-timed geyser eruption, and a catastrophic asteroid shower brings some much-needed energy. However, these climactic moments come too late to salvage the film’s overall lackluster experience.
Underdeveloped Characters and Lack of Chemistry
One of the film’s biggest weaknesses is the underdeveloped characters. Mills, played by the intense Adam Driver, is disappointingly relegated to a blandly heroic role, lacking the opportunity to showcase his full range. Koa, portrayed by Ariana Greenblatt, does her best with a poorly defined character who speaks a different language. The absence of a genuine bond or tension between the two leads further detracts from the overall experience.
Erratic Editing and Borrowed Elements
While “65” showcases occasional clever camerawork, it suffers from inconsistent editing choices. The film also borrows heavily from the “Jurassic Park” franchise, including familiar visual cues such as giant footprints and menacing dinosaur close-ups. While some inspiration is expected, the lack of originality becomes apparent and contributes to the film’s overall unfulfilled potential.
Conclusion
Despite the initial promise of a thrilling adventure, “65” struggles to find its footing. The film’s failure to fully embrace its B-movie roots and develop its characters leaves audiences disconnected and disengaged. With repetitive action sequences, underutilized comedic potential, inconsistent editing, and borrowed elements, “65” falls short of delivering a satisfying cinematic experience. The late-game dash of excitement arrives too late to rescue the film from its overall mediocrity.
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