#MortalEngines Film Reviewed on PopcornX (Non-Spoilers)

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The story for #PeterJackson's #MortalEngines is predictable and at times the lines are cornyAF, the characters - while nicely presented and performed - are somehow cardboard-cutouts, but very nicely dressed ones. Nothing new here to savour here story-wise, alas. I am unfamiliar with the source material, but I sense a cramming of ideas and (plenty of nameless sub) characters into this film adaptation, which thankfully is bolstered by the gorgeous visuals (I am biased to the genre, I admit), and perhaps a "fresh premise" (to me anyways), and truly wished it did not feel as "Hollywood-ized", somehow constantly reminding me of disaster flicks, with an cliched "drone"-esque POV (#pointofview) that distracts and distances me from whatever the humanity it had been trying to portray, but firmly delivers on the grandiose designs the film boasts. I did not feel a lick of sympathy for #HesterShaw, and the standout character was obviously #Jihae, whom probably stood out way too much, IMHO. Everything was dandy until she spoke those inspirational lines that probably did not resonate with a old fuddy-duddy like me :p My fav character performance in the film was from "Shrike" (played by Stephen Lang), who provided a "humanity" which seems being taken for granted by other "human" actors, IMHO. Definitely worth a watch on a large screen (*primarily for the visuals), but be prepared to cringe at the actions and antics at some points - all of which is not "unforgivable" though, so def worth a ride and watch, IMHO! #popcornX #filmreview

A post shared by TOYSREVIL (@toysrevil) on Dec 11, 2018 at 6:37am PST

I have just published my (non-spoiler) impressions for MORTAL ENGINES on PopcornX - having watched it on Singapore screens on Monday, premiering on U.S. screens December 14th, and uploaded Instagram-review (since reposted here), and a discovery of this video listing the "5 Differences Between The 'Mortal Engines' Movie and Books" - which intrigues me, as I've not read the original source material (in this case the quartet of novels from Philip Reeve), and have wondered about the adaptation, and the (potentially) unfulfilled promise it held and tempted us with, IMHO.

Scroll to the bottom to see the video, and enjoy the film!

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I am utterly charmed and blown away at how gorgeous #MortalEngines is designed and dressed. From #productiondesign by Dan Hennah (#ThorRagnarok, "Alice Through the Looking Glass", all 3 x #TheHobbit movies) of the #dieselpunk drenched predator cities and #steampunk-spirited mecha and reel-life, to the lush #costumedesign by Bob Buck ("Z for Zachariah", 3 x #TheHobbit movies) and Kate Hawley (#ChaosWalking, #SuicideSquad, #CrimsonPeak #EdgeofTomorrow, #PacificRim - OMG I love her), where even the grime and grit looked glorious amidst the textured visuals! Admittedly, sometimes I'd truly felt the aesthetics overshadowed the predictable story, but I am ok with that. At the end of the day, I'd be more than happy to purchase a "Making-Of"/#BehindTheScenes art book for this film, than a copy of this film itself (*Only to see the aesthetics in action). Featured here in this slideshow (SWIPE to view) are images since revealed online before the show has premiered in the USA. There is so much more to be seen, enjoyed and relished in the film...! (#Spoiler) I also adored the SHRIKE’s “home” scenes, as it delivered a somewhat indie-European #artfilm sensibility which appealed to me immensely (I'm thinking #CityofLostChildren here, which I ADORE) and what I feel is generally lacking in genre films these days, IMHO (of course I am personally biased, I admit). Definitely worth watching in a darken cinema on a large screen, because the details might be lost on a smaller screen, and that to me would be unforgivable! #popcornX #filmreview

A post shared by TOYSREVIL (@toysrevil) on Dec 11, 2018 at 6:39am PST

SYNOPSIS: "Hundreds of years after civilization was destroyed by a cataclysmic event, a mysterious young woman, Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar), emerges as the only one who can stop London — now a giant, predator city on wheels — from devouring everything in its path. Feral, and fiercely driven by the memory of her mother, Hester joins forces with Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan), an outcast from London, along with Anna Fang (Jihae), a dangerous outlaw with a bounty on her head." (Check out www.mortalengines.com)

"Mortal Engines is the startling, new epic adventure directed by Oscar®-winning visual-effects artist Christian Rivers (King Kong). Joining Rivers are The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies three-time Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, who have penned the screenplay. Visual effects are created by a Weta Digital team led by Ken McGaugh, Kevin Smith, Luke Millar and Dennis Yoo. The Universal and MRC adaptation is from the award-winning book series by Philip Reeve, published in 2001 by Scholastic.

On board as producers are Zane Weiner (The Hobbit trilogy), Amanda Walker (The Hobbit trilogy) and Deborah Forte (Goosebumps), as well as Walsh and Jackson. Ken Kamins (The Hobbit trilogy) joins Boyens as executive producer. Universal will distribute the film worldwide."