Branded opens tomorrow in a fairly wide (306 theaters) limited release. Trailer looks pretty promising, if a bit John Carpenter’s classic They Live fused with Vincenzo Natali’s (utterly under-appreciated masterwork) Cypher. But i fucking loved those movies. Why wouldn’t i want to see more like them? More concerned about the apparent simplistic “durrr capitalism bad” theme, but strong visuals can forgive alot, and don’t have to agree with a film’s ideology to enjoy it.
Between this, Resident Evil: Retribution, Looper, and Dredd, it’s looking like the best September for movies since 2006, when Crank and Idiocracy were released on the same weekend.
4 Responses to “Capitalism is an oppressive alien evil! Buy a ticket to learn more.”
Yeah, that is indeed pretty much They Live with CGI and a lead that doesn’t match the pure awesome of one Roddy Piper.
It’ll never have that old John Carpenter panache, but it indeed looks interesting. I’m appreciating its willingness to use really abstract looking creatures, and I can’t possibly miss a movie with both Max Von “Ming the Merciless” Sydow and HEY NOW Jeffrey Tambor in it. I’m also digging that we’re starting to trend back toward giant monsters.
Of course, 300 odd theaters means it ain’t playing anywhere near me, but I look forward to Netflixing it.
I think their depiction of capitalist greed is fairly silly (and I lean to the left), but what really bothers me is the implication that there’s something sinister about QR codes. I just can’t take that seriously.
You think they’re aware of the irony of using a capitalistic venue in order to condemn capitalism?
@TSLUF273: I don’t think they’re trying to condemn capitalism. I think they’re trying to exploit an anti-capitalist sentiment for patently capitalist ends. I think there’s an irony there, but it’s not quite the same irony that you were pointing out.