Caine Wise
Jupiter Ascending
October 2015
If you want yo make your own check out my other posts:
- Cain
- Balem.
I also want to take a moment to explain why the movie Jupiter Ascending was awesome, and why I was incredibly excited to put together two cosplays from it.
For a design perspective the movie was beautiful; the costumes, sets, props and CG worked together to build an intricate and complex space civilization that was equal parts surreal and distinct from out own, and our world was clearly inspired by its aesthetic. While it is easy to see the design as just glitter and graphics, for me they are so much more. It is clear the thought that was put into the characters costumes, conveying covert details about who they are; the sets are diverse taking us from grand and threatening rooms to smaller cozy settings in a single beat, and the CG worked to build unique space ships and creatures that are not often seen in science fiction today.
The movie is the epitome of a space opera, the design and the plot make this abundantly clear. May criticisms have revolved around the convoluted plot, suggesting it is illogical. To me, while it required the audience to suspend their disbelief and just say “sure, why not.” a lot, it was internally consistent – the characters motives made sense within their world, and while the movie only scratched the surface of the setting, it was clearly a robust one. The plot itself was a story I have grown up on – the secret princess narrative is comfortable, and seeing it set in space let my little nerd heart soar. Jupiter was also believable and strong as a character, I related to her – her reactions were those I think I would have in a similar setting. She grew from acceptance to agency in a world she did not at all understand and a fight she wasn’t equipped to wage.
Go watch Jupiter Ascending, expect a grad space opera with a narrative that is as simple as it is complex. Be willing to accept what they give you and understand that they believe you are intelligent enough to fill in details. Most of all have fun!
