A Dystopian Odyssey: The Electric State
The Electric State is based on an orphaned teenager Michelle and her robotic companion and an enigmatic drifter on a road trip through the American Wild West. Dissecting the motif of isolation and the search for missing loved ones, in the ruins of enormous battle machines, and a society that is slowly crumbling after putting all of its faith in VR worlds, this novel by Torunn is a dark specimen of typical post-apocalyptic literature, nonetheless. Regarding the technology alienation theme the film depicts it through the spectacles of the nineties. Employing some tragic and overall exciting sci-fi apparatus, the mood of the movie goes up and down from sadness to optimism of using technology.
Michelle is played by Millie Bobby Brown as a tough and rather charming girl who has to face many trials in her character arc. Due to great performance big names such as Woody Norman and Alan Tudyk introduce different features in every character. The writers’ dynamic attaches extra dimension to the plot, switching between comedy and drama.
Written and directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, The Electric State is great because of its uniqueesan approach to it. The way that they utilize it is quite masterful where they now have big sci-fi scenes but they’re very character driven. Despite numerous action scenes, the Russo brothers do not forget about the character’s inner development, exploring it throughout the film.
The music perfectly fits the movie and captures the feelings of people in the cruel world of the Russo brothers’ post-apocalyptic setting. It turns the audiences into wanderers with the remaining feeling of dislocation; it enhances key moments with the aid of the synthesisers that are typical of the late ‘90s. Long shots of lonely spaces are contrasted with close-ups that follow the empirical experience of the events that transpire. Each shot is built exceptionally and tell a story, which directly correlates to the feeling of the film.
The colour grading in the cinematography of the film brings the landscape of the 1990s with a little touch of post-apocalyptic. Even in the largest of scale, like towering wreckage of battle drones, the game does not disappoint with the details down to the smallest of cracks found in the old city. Technophile aesthetics represent degradation of society and acts as a haunting backdrop to the story in The Electric State.
They also employ special effects perfectly just enhancing the look of the battle drones and the overall dystopian setting of the work. The practical effects blended with CGI the viewer is immersed in the smoothly constructed ‘high fantasy real’ environment.
The pace of the movie is well balanced with action scenes intercut with extensive character development scenes. The flow of the movie is unwavering and controlled, the film maintains an exciting pace and never drags but at the same time, big and important moments get the attention they should. The logic of heroes’ actions corresponds to fantastic genres, but the pace of the songs is sometimes calm, which gives the viewers time to realize the actual emotional story. It also provides just the right amount of pacing to sustain interest throughout.
Dialogue is quite good, Grant Morrison and Beth Revis supply them with depth and significance to develop characters and topics. Above all, dialogues with the protagonists, the two main characters whose name is Michelle and a robot she is with, are witty and poignant, pointing to the humans’ ability to stay connected even while alone in the most dystopian world.
For instance, at times, The Electric State tends to copy frequently discovered types of science fiction narratives that might be well-known to fans of the genre. The film’s bad aspects remain only plot cliches which, in general, do not prevent it from staying a very interesting movie featuring the amazing experience of the emotional and the visual side of the movie. Its depiction of human spirit in the environment of post apocalyptic techno decay serves a lasting impact. For adults, who like sci-fi movies with pearls of philosophical reflections reflected in narration and splendid graphics, this movie definitely worth watching.
