Elevation

1 Comment

1. 

   RandoStuff

   November 12, 2024 at 7:08 pm

   I recently sat down to watch Elevation, and as part of the Mystery Movie experience, I didn’t know what I was getting into. Sometimes that’s the best way to watch a movie, allowing the experience to unfold without expectations. In the case of Elevation, I found myself both impressed by certain aspects and frustrated by others. It’s a film that’s trying to blend the post-apocalyptic and monster movie genres, but does it quite succeed? Let’s break it down.

   The premise of Elevation is straightforward: humanity is almost wiped out by strange, terrifying creatures, and the few survivors remain safe in elevated areas above 8,000 feet. The catch? A small group of these survivors has to venture into dangerous, monster-infested lowlands to retrieve vital supplies. It’s a tried-and-true setup that’s been explored in several films—A Quiet Place and Godzilla come to mind—but what Elevation does differently is its focus on the high-stakes journey and the unique survival aspect. For the most part, I found the premise engaging, even if it occasionally veered into predictable territory.

   Let’s talk about the performances, because that’s where Elevation holds a bit of weight, despite some flaws. Morena Baccarin plays a pivotal role here, and while she’s typically known for her roles in Deadpool and Gotham, she brings a much-needed emotional depth to this film. She’s effective in her quieter moments, particularly when her character faces personal grief and distress. One scene, where Baccarin’s character is pushed to the brink emotionally, is one of the film’s stronger moments. She has a way of conveying vulnerability without making it overly theatrical, which was refreshing to see. However, as much as I appreciated her portrayal, I couldn’t help but feel that she didn’t quite dive deep enough into the emotional complexities of her character. At times, she seemed too reserved, and I found myself wishing for just a bit more of a breakdown or a moment of rawness—something that would have elevated her performance.

   Anthony Mackie, on the other hand, brings his usual charm and gravitas to the role. He’s no stranger to playing intense, action-driven characters, and while he does well in the action scenes, I felt like the film didn’t give him the emotional space he needed. Mackie’s character, like Baccarin’s, is primarily defined by stoicism and survival instinct, and while this fits the movie’s tone, it sometimes makes his performance feel stilted. He’s at his best when the tension is high, but in quieter, more reflective moments, I felt he was holding back—perhaps too much. It was almost as if Mackie was restrained by the script, leaving him with little room to explore the vulnerability his character might have benefited from. I’m not saying Mackie didn’t do a good job, but there were moments where I felt he could have taken the performance to a deeper place.

   One of the things I liked about Elevation was its pacing. The film doesn’t overstay its welcome, with a runtime of just 90 minutes. It keeps things tight and doesn’t waste too much time on unnecessary subplots. The first act sets up the world and the stakes quickly, while the middle portion builds up the peril. There are a few genuinely tense moments as the characters venture into the lowlands, and the creature design is something I appreciated. It’s clear the filmmakers were going for a mix of mystery and dread, and they manage to create some suspenseful sequences. Still, there’s a nagging feeling that the film could have done more with its setting and premise.

   However, the ending didn’t quite land for me. Without giving away too much, it felt rushed—like the filmmakers ran out of time or decided to wrap things up too quickly. Some of the character decisions at the climax felt contrived, and a few key moments in the final act didn’t have the emotional payoff they needed. I also found the typical “perfect-timing” scenarios that happen towards the end to be a little eye-roll-inducing. Predictable character deaths and situations didn’t do much to elevate the stakes either.

   Despite its flaws, Elevation is not a bad movie. It’s enjoyable enough, especially for fans of post-apocalyptic thrillers with a dash of creature feature. I appreciated its attempts at uniqueness and the strong performances from the lead actors, though I wish they were given more to work with. If you’re looking for something quick, exciting, and with enough twists to keep you interested, you could do worse than Elevation. But if you’re hoping for something more substantial in terms of character development or originality, you might walk away a little disappointed.