I’m a sucker for a science fiction (sci-fi) film – so when I saw the stellar cast attached to Life, my expectations went through the roof.
Not to be confused with the incredibly funny Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence film of the same name (1999), Life is directed by Daniel Espinosa (Child 44) and focuses on a group of astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS).
And, although it boasts A-listers Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal and Rebecca Ferguson among its relatively small cast, there is no real main character here.
After a great opening sequence, the team are charged with analysing specimens sent to them from a Mars mission.
What they find is the first genuine alien lifeform and proof of life outside of Earth, although initially in the form of a very small single cell organism.
It’s a discovery that’s celebrated by the human race and is held up alongside major moments such as landing on the moon.
Named Calvin, the creature – which is made of equal parts of muscle and brain – slowly begins to grow and adapt to his surroundings.
As you can imagine, that soon involves it becoming hostile to the humans, who are forced to fight for their lives against the ever-evolving lifeform.
Although there have already been comparisons between Calvin and the Alien franchise’s iconic Xenomorph, it does feel different watching him grow from the size of an ant to being an efficient killing machine.
It’s at this point where Life really excels. The way Calvin goes about killing and attacking is truly brutal and is certain to leave you squirming in your seat.
Life should also be commended for being very unpredictable, with nobody on the team safe from death at any point (usually the bigger stars are off the menu).
With that in mind, the film evolves into a story about what the astronauts are willing to do to protect life in general.
Although Calvin is the main attraction, there really are no weak links on the cast.
As you’d expect, Reynolds, Gyllenhaal and Ferguson are all very charismatic and bring exactly what you’d imagine to the table.
But it’s an impressive support cast that helps make Life slicker than the average sci-fi fare. Ariyon Bakare puts in a superb showing as a crippled scientist that revels in the zero-gravity environment of the ISS, while Hiroyuki Sanada and Olga Dihovichnaya also enjoy some stand-out moments.
However, Life does linger on a little too long. While the threat of Calvin’s grotesque killing spree never really gets old, the final act does feel a little padded out.
With the film barely leaving the ISS location, it makes for quite a slow-burn before what is actually a very good ending.
The likeness with cult hit Alien are obvious here, but Life does enough to stand on its own two feet.
And, while it’s not the best sci-fi film you’ll ever see, there are plenty of reasons to give it a watch.
Just don’t go into the cinema with a delicate stomach – it can be gruesome.
Voice Verdict: 7.5/10 (reviewed at Boston West End Cinema)
+ Strong cast
+ Brutal deaths
+ Very good ending
+ Calvin is cool
– Drags on a little too long
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, March 31 to Thurs, April 6)
**ROYAL OPERA HOUSE: MADAMA BUTTERFLY ENCORE (12AL)
2pm (Sunday Only)
**THE BOSS BABY (U)
10am (Sat/Sun), 12.45pm (Sat/Sun)
SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE (U)
2D – Noon (Sat/Sun/Wed), 4.20pm (daily), 6.20pm (not Sun)
3D – 10am (Sat/Sun), 2.10pm (not Mon/Tue/Thu)
GHOST IN THE SHELL (12A)
2D – 9.50pm (Sun, 10am (Sat), 3.30pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)
3D – 1pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 6.15pm (daily)
POWER RANGERS (12A)
12.40pm (Wed), 3.20pm (not Sun), 6pm (not Tues/Thu), 8.40pm (not Sun/Thu)
LIFE (15)
8.40pm (not Wed)
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (PG)
2D – 11am (Sat/Sun/Wed), 2pm (not Mon/Tues/Thu), 5.20pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)
3D – 7.15pm (daily)
KONG: SKULL ISLAND (12A)
2D – 3.20pm (daily)
KIDS’ CLUB
Sat/Sun 10.15am – Moana 2D (PG)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Life (15)
SUBTITLED SHOWING
Tues 6pm – Power Rangers (12A)
**FREE LIST SUSPENDED
