Review: Even Adam Driver cannot save '65' from being a crash landing

65 should have been some good old fun with thrills as we navigate pre-historic Earth and the fact that Adam Driver was cast to lead our expedition - should have been the icing on the cake.

65

65

Why was it necessary to restrict a sci-fi survival saga to about 90 odd minutes? Why was it imperative to restrict the setting and dinosaurs to such a small extent that you are just waiting for a big moment to happen? And in the end, why would you waste Adam Driver in a film like this! These are questions that remain unanswered as I happened to watch 65, the actor's latest film where amidst a space exploration journey, he crash lands into a planet that seems to be something else but is actually Earth but only 65 millions years ago. While it seems clear from the above, here is what worked for the film and what did not-

The Forgiving Runtime Doesn't Forgive The Rushed End

The Forgiving Runtime Doesn't Forgive The Rushed End

It is fascinating how filmmakers are usually marked upon for longer runtimes but here, it is the other way round. There seemed to be a need for directors Scott Beck and Bryan Adams to wrap things up so early where they didn't choose to let the subject breathe. In a film which talks about survival and where the stakes are high for an individual, who is trying to fight the odds as he guards a nine-year old and also fights big-ass T-rexes with a sonic gun - there needs to be breathing space for every plot development. 

While not necessary, but there is a sense of escalation where you, as a viewer expect big and impossible tasks which the protagonists will fight and will lead to a crescendo that might shock you or startle you. This is entirely absent in 65 where it only seems like there are moments where you a few set of dinos attacking Adam Driver's Mills and Ariana Greenblatt's Koa, them fighting them and being safe - the plot continuing in a drab manner - the attack comes again and they are safe again. This takes away from any attention you would want from a viewer.

Convoluted Plot & Loud Music

Convoluted Plot & Loud Music

The film begins with a hook that the writers would have wanted to be the reason to stay engaged - a father struggling with the idea of going away from his ailing daughter for two years. Sound familiar? Interstellar might have received flak for several reasons but the one emotion that it portrayed so brilliantly was establishing the father-daughter relationship. However, that becomes just another plot development and there isn't enough room given to the actors to even make us genuinely feel invested. The plot begins with Mills on Planet Somaris getting all set to go an expedition followed by a crash where he has time-travelled to Earth 65 million years ago This is the one-liner that sums up the majority of the film. It is as simplistic as it is convoluted when it comes to the array of situations in the film. 

Then comes the music - oh boy! It seems being loud was the brief given to Chris Bacon as the music and background score doesn't add to the desired tension and urgency. Except for an overall good sound design, there is nothing much that the rehashed music added to the film's setting. I mean, my favorite sound was when the sonic gun was fired! That is all I could take from it.

The Few Good Things

The Few Good Things

65 might have the idea of an asteroid leading to a space vessel being crashed but that is just the beginning of a crash landing for the film as it goes on. The only fortunate thing about this film then turned out to be the fact that we get to see Adam Driver. The phenomenal actor with his signature baritone voice is trying his level best to put some heart and some sense to the dismal screenplay and while it doesn't land, we still get to see Driver looking cool and being cool. 

The other aspect that partially works is Salvatore Totino's cinematography. The few sequences of Driver and Greenblatt on their survival journey are well shot and have you marginally invested at a few instances. Notice how I haven't talked much about dinosaurs inspite of the film being about it? Because, they become the most underwhelming aspect while they should have been the highlight. I didn't expect Jurassic Park levels here but it doesn't even try too much. Except for a couple close encounters, there are hardly moments of good altercations between the dinos and the protagonists. I wanted good cheeky dinosaur fun and even that couldn't happen.

The Verdict

65 should have been some good old fun with thrills as we navigate pre-historic Earth and the fact that Adam Driver was cast to lead our expedition - should have been the icing on the cake. Instead, 65 ends up being a wannabe popcorn flick that takes itself too seriously still not rising above its shortcomings in any manner.

Rating - ** (2/5)

Your reaction

Nice
Awesome
Loved
LOL
OMG
Cry
Fail

Comments (1)

Topcer88 is a game online base on website, game coin, game board, game digital.

Topcer88 gift user prize Jackpot minimal redeem RP 10.000 user can deposit and play many game in here

come and join with us

1 years ago

Latest Stories