Mortal Engines blockbuster fails to fire

If first impressions were all that mattered, Mortal Engines would have just about every movie of 2018 well and truly beaten. But the Peter Jackson-backed blockbuster fails to fire, writes Leigh Paatsch.

Here we have a blockbuster production that certainly knows how to make an entrance, but seems somewhat unsure about exactly what to do once it is in the room.

If first impressions were all that mattered, Mortal Engines would have just about every movie of 2018 well and truly beaten.

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THE GRINCH REVIEW

An absolutely awesome opening establishes an apocalyptic future where huge cities on wheels chase one another across devastated landscapes, and engage in a stunning form of steampunk warfare.

It is an incredible feat of swift and striking cinematic world-building, almost worth the price of admission in its own right. But not quite.

Hugo Weaving as Thaddeus Valentine in Mortal Engines

Because it is lasting impressions that really matter for any movie, and Mortal Engines gradually falls away very conspicuously in this department after an amazing first act.

The action centres on the mobilised metropolis of London, stronghold for an oppressive regime out to dominate and devour what is left of the planet.

It is the Traction Era, some time after the year 3100. A fateful conflict referred to in hushed tones as the Sixty Minute War put paid to mankind as we know it.

Those few that survived migrated to the massive mechanised cities that now roam Earth looking for precious resources that will keep their advanced (and enclosed) societies on the move.

Leila George and Hugo Weaving.

The most prized commodity is known as Old-Tech: ancient gadgets and gizmos from the world as it used to be (which just happens to be the world in which you and I now live).

The core narrative of Mortal Engines warms up when a mysterious young woman, Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar), clambers aboard London on a secret mission.

After moving to assassinate respected historian and aspiring fascist dictator Thaddeus Valentine (Hugo Weaving), Hester plants the seeds for a rebellion against those steering London down the wrong path.

Based on the first in a series of books by Philip Reeve, Mortal Engines is a blockbuster not short on big ideas, whether they be creative or allegorical (the movie does have its clear parallels with a few political and cultural situations currently unfolding around the globe).

A scene from Mortal Engines.

There were obviously the hooks that drew filmmaker Peter Jackson (serving here as both producer and co-screenwriter) to the project.

However, Jackson and his regular collaborators from his famous Tolkien movies can’t quite keep Mortal Engines revving with excitement or wonder once the bland basics of its tale are bedded down.

MORTAL ENGINES (M)

Rating: Two and a half stars (2.5 out of 5)

Director: Christian Rivers (feature debut)

Starring: Hugo Weaving, Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, Jihae, Ronan Raftery, Leila George.

Great starter motor, but doesn’t fire on all cylinders