So, I sat down to watch Elevation, a film that promises thrills, chills, and a heartwarming tale of survival in a world gone mad. The premise? A single dad (played by the ever-charismatic Anthony Mackie) teams up with a brooding neighbor (Morena Baccarin) and a scrappy young woman (Maddie Hasson) to brave a monstrous, post-apocalyptic hellscape in search of lifesaving medication for Mackie's ailing son. Sounds intense, right? Like a twisted mix of The Last of Us and your standard "let's-go-fetch-the-thing-to-save-the-kid" plot. But here's the thing: while the movie has its moments, it often feels like it's hiking up a steep hill only to find the view from the top isn't all that spectacular.
Let's start with the good. Every now and then, Elevation delivers a solid dose of tension. There's one scene in an abandoned factory where our trio faces off against the film's signature monsters that had me white-knuckling my popcorn. For a brief moment, I thought, "This is it! This is where the movie takes off!" But alas, that moment, much like a cheap rollercoaster, peaked too quickly. The premise is another point in its favor. I mean, who doesn't love a good survival story with high stakes and creepy creatures? On paper, this could've been a genre-defining film. Unfortunately, "on paper" is where the brilliance seems to have stayed.
Now, the not-so-good. If you're planning to watch this movie, pack a snack-and maybe a pillow-because the pacing is slow. Like, snail-on-a-cold-day slow. The film spends so much time building up its characters and world that it forgets to, you know, keep things moving. Don't get me wrong; I'm all for character development. But there's a fine line between deep and dull, and Elevation doesn't always find the balance.
And then there are the special effects. Oh, boy. Let's just say that some of the creature designs wouldn't look out of place in a Syfy original movie circa 2010. I'm not saying the CGI is terrible, but when your big bad monster looks like it moonlights as a Halloween store mascot, you've got a problem. Speaking of problems, the big reveal-this film's pièce de résistance-lands with a thud. After all the buildup, the explanation for the monsters (or lack thereof) feels as satisfying as getting socks for Christmas. Sure, they're practical, but where's the excitement?
But wait, there's more! For a movie that wants to tug at your heartstrings, it sure leans hard on tired tropes. Mackie's kid is sick and needs lifesaving medication, so naturally, our heroes embark on a dangerous quest to save him. Haven't we seen this plot a million times before? It's like the writers took a spin on the Wheel of Emotional Stakes and landed on "sick kid." I wanted to care more, I really did, but this well-worn trope made it hard to fully invest.
And yet, despite its flaws, Elevation isn't a total disaster. Anthony Mackie does his best to elevate the material (pun intended), bringing warmth and gravitas to his role. Morena Baccarin broods like a pro, and Maddie Hasson injects some much-needed energy into the proceedings. The trio has decent chemistry, even if the script doesn't always give them enough to work with. It's clear these actors are doing their damnedest to turn this mixed bag into something worthwhile, and for that, they deserve credit.
Ultimately, Elevation is a film that aims high but doesn't quite stick the landing. It's got moments of tension and a solid premise, but the slow pacing, underwhelming effects, and lackluster payoff hold it back. Think of it as the cinematic equivalent of climbing a hill only to realize the view isn't quite worth the hike. Still, it's not a bad way to spend a lazy weekend-just don't expect it to change your life.
Rating: 5/10. A decent watch for fans of creature features, but not a must-see by any stretch.
