2018 Peter Jackson film Mortal Engines It recently resurfaced in a Corridor Crew review that praises its impressive visual effects but criticizes its storytelling choices. Adapted from the novel by Philip Reeve, Mortal Engines depicts a post-apocalyptic world where gigantic mobile cities consume smaller settlements to survive. The film sought to capture audiences with its imaginative effects, but ended up struggling at the box office, with Mortal Engines grossing approximately US$84 million globally.
During analysis on YouTube channel, Runner CrewWren, Sam, and Nico praise the work of the visual effects artists for creating visually captivating scenes and elaborate CGI designs. Still, they found several scenes frustrating due to quick cuts and incompatibilities with weapon realism. Additionally, the team emphasizes moments where the action felt disjointed due to inconsistent pacing. Despite these problems, VFX remained a standout feature of the film. leaving a mixed but appreciative response to the visual execution.
I know this isn’t how you normally watch movies, but it’s a lot more fun. The action sequences and scenarios were really cool. Obviously, the visual effects, like, I don’t really have anything to criticize about them. Not that it was, it was actually fun. Probably the best way to enjoy this movie is to see all the cool stuff and not have to listen to any of the dialogue. Sorry if some of you worked on this film and are hearing me say this. I’m sorry, but it was really fun to watch on mute. As far as our personal viewing experience goes, it was a 10 out of 10. Mortal Engine is great, everyone should watch it.
What this means for Mortal Engines Legacy in visual effects
The film puts style above substance
The renewed discourse emphasizes the growing importance of visual effects in contemporary films such as Mortal Enginesespecially regarding the general reception. As VFX continues to push boundaries, Mortal Engines’ box office deficiencies show that presentation alone does not guarantee success. Increasingly, audiences increasingly expect a balance between visual innovation and plot coherence. The film’s visual achievements have been praised, but the fast pace and lack of captivation show that Even impressive CGI can’t replace a well-crafted story.
Furthermore, the critical reaction to the film, which received a 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflects the mixed reception it received upon release. Despite the visuals, many reviews cited the lack of strong character development and a compelling plot that left many viewers unsatisfied. Ultimately, the film’s failure to meet audience expectations led to its rapid decline at the box office.
Our Take on Mortal Engines’ Mixed Appeal
There are still some positive aspects
While Mortal Engines stood out with impressive visual effects, its flaws in story development and overall pacing prevent it from leaving a lasting impact on viewers. The film’s over-reliance on spectacle versus narrative highlights a broader issue in modern cinema. Without a strong narrative foundation, even a film with incredible visuals Can’t make up for lack of depth. That said, the ambitious paths the editors and visual artists took with this film are certainly commendable, and the film remains an impressive showcase of technical achievement.
Source: Runner Crew/YouTube