Others have also written about the tendency that’s becoming a trope, which After Earth employs in its opening scenes: a whole lot of explaining the world we’re being introduced to, its history, the featured characters’ backstory, and important technological developments that will surely factor in later on. I’m not as convinced as others that it’s unnecessary, or that it necessarily detracts from the fun of experiencing this strange new world before us.
But it’s always a little bit awkward, and takes an opportunity to make an entrance onto the screen as something new and distinct and effective rather than taking a tired trick of common movies and it anyhow. And this is in spite of the fact that I kind of like the way the movie opens, with imagery that’s rather compelling and a gorgeous little moment that is over too quickly with father Cypher wordlessly instructing his son to focus on his breathing before being sucked out of the back of the crashing aircraft. Jaden Smith isn’t exactly great reciting this opening dialogue, or any dialogue in the film, and is by far the strongest when he seems unable to find words to express himself, like your ordinary teenager. Just less talking in general would suit Shyamalan’s films a lot better, I think.
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