FILM REVIEW: THE DOG STARS (15) ESP RATING: 2.5/5
- Gavin Miller
- 26 minutes ago
- 3 min read
It’s strange that acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott picked this frustratingly dull post-apocalyptic movie – as he comes to the twilight of his directorial career.
Because for the most part it’s just plain boring.
It starts in second gear and only a couple of times reaches third. And more frustratingly it’s not for the lack of talent at hand. It’s an excellent cast who can only deal with the tediously lifeless material put in front of them.
Talking of lifeless, that’s pretty much what the planet has become in this post-apocalyptic supposed-thriller that sees only pockets of worldwide survivors after a devastating global flu pandemic nearly eradicated humanity.
Based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller, it follows the exploits of former mechanic Hig (rising Saltburn and Wuthering Heights star Jacob Elordi), who resides on farmland in the Colorado wilderness with his dog Jasper, and ex-marine Bangley (Josh Brolin).
They defend their ‘fortress’ from occasional ‘Mad Max-esque’ feral marauders – with sharpshooter Bangley having a fine sniper rifle aim – while Hig sporadically ventures into Denver with his propeller plane to gather supplies, while also supporting a nearby Mormon community – led by Benedict Wong (Dr Strange) – much to the chagrin of his friend.
But while Bangley is happy to permanently defend their land, Hig – who has his own demons after the death of his wife – decides to explore to see if there’s further civilisation out there, especially after picking up a feint radio transmission from Grand Junction Regional Airport.
After crashlanding into a valley en-route due to mechanical failure, Hig interacts with the father/daughter couple of Pops (Guy Pearce) and Cima (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s Margaret Qualley) and eventually (via a plotline or two) takes them on his onward journey – striking up a growing romantic bond with his new found ‘lady friend’ in the process.
Which does lead to arguably the most interesting sequence in the film, but bar that, it’s really quite slow or uneventful stuff, despite some perfectly adequate acting.
There’s ‘methodical’ building up to something, and then there’s methodical that really doesn’t lead anywhere particularly exciting at all.
It obviously tries to lean into the goodwill earned from the likes of TV series The Last of Us and Fallout – and has more than a passing nod to films such as the aforementioned Mad Max and I Am Legend – it’s just not as good as any of them. In fact, it has a movie ‘bedfellow’ in the underwhelming stakes, with the recent 28 Years Later.
And mentioning the term underwhelming – after not a lot really happening throughout the film – it concludes in that fashion too. It just peters out to a very anti-climactic finale – and just kind of ends out of the blue.
Which begs the question why Oscar-winner Scott found Heller’s novel so intriguing in the first place? It does pose the perception of impending dread throughout, but simply never really portrays it.
Leaving the film’s stars struggling to shine through this ‘dog’s dinner’ of monotony.
ESP Rating: 2.5/5
Gavin Miller
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, Sam Spruell & Ewen Bremner
Running Time: 1 Hr 58 Mins
Director: Ridley Scott
Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough
For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk
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