Russo Brothers' "The Electric State" Fails to Shock
With its lackluster plot, poor production values, and unoriginal storytelling, "The Electric State" is a disappointing addition to the sci-fi genre, and a misstep for the Russo brothers. The film's failure to deliver on its promises is a reminder that even the most expensive and highly anticipated movies can fall flat, and that true success lies in creating something original and inspiring.
The Russo brothers' latest film, "The Electric State," has been met with disappointment from critics, despite its staggering $320 million budget, making it one of the most expensive Netflix movies to date. The sci-fi adventure, starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, lacks thrills and exciting developments, and its attempts at humor, science fiction, and action fall flat.
The film's plot, set in an alternate 1990s, follows a teenage girl named Michelle who discovers her brother may be alive and controlling a robot named Cosmo. However, the story suffers from a lack of emotional depth and relies on predetermined beats, making it feel like a watered-down grab-bag of old, tired ideas. The film's production values are also surprisingly low, with poorly designed robots and a lack of care for the characters.
The Russo brothers' approach to filmmaking has been criticized for being unoriginal and lacking imagination. Their reliance on familiar conventions and lack of satire and social commentary are seen as a result of their approach to storytelling, which is described as that of "branch managers" who are more focused on carrying out directives than creating something new. The film's heavy indebtedness to Spielberg's movies, particularly those from the 1980s, is also evident, but it lacks the inspiration and imagination that made those films successful.
The failure of "The Electric State" is a disappointment, given the Russo brothers' previous success with Marvel's Avengers: Endgame. However, the brothers will have a chance to redeem themselves with their upcoming Marvel project, "Avengers: Doomsday," set to release next year. For now, "The Electric State" remains a waste of time and money, and a reminder that even big budgets and star-studded casts cannot guarantee a good film.
