Review of 'The Electric State'
In an alternative 1990, a war between humans and robots results in robots being banished into an exclusion zone with most humans using Sentre Neurocaster Technology that allows them to remotely control drones to perform the chores of daily life. Teenager Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) is the sole survivor of a car crash that killed her family and is a bit of an outcast in refusing to use the Neurocaster device. Sentient robot Cosmo (voiced by Alan Tudyk) escapes the exclusion zone to tell Michelle that he is being controlled by her presumed deceased younger brother Christopher (Woody Norman). Michell and Cosmo go in search of her brother with the help of scavenger Keats (Chris Pratt) and his sentient robot partner Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie). Entering the exclusion zone the four team up with a group of robots headed by a “Mr Peanut” (voiced by Woody Harrelson) robot seeking to build themselves a new society. Surprisingly (!), they discover that the massively powerful Sentre corporation headed by CEO Ethan Skate (the amazing Stanley Tucci) is behind Christopher's abduction and a lot of their society's problems. It will take all of them to rescue Christopher and put a stop to Sentre's evil plans…
Yes, this Netflix-released film has been universally panned by the critics with mixed responses from the public, so what do I think? Well, I have to say this film looks absolutely stunning with it's massive budget splashed across the small screen (shame it was not the big screen). The robots are incredibly realistic and have genuinely believable personalities (I feel for Mr Peanut, really, he is picked on quite a bit here). The principle human characters spend most of their time anguishing over the situation, making sarcastic comments, or running with the real action left to the robots who are often torn limb for limb. The slightly far-fetched story is serviceable if a bit simple boiling down to: Evil corporation vs the plucky down-trodden. I can't say there are any significant surprises here, it is more the journey that makes the film as we see more and more of an amazing world that might have been.
There is an array of A-list acting talent on display here though mostly they reprise the characters we are already familiar with. Of course Chris Pratt plays to type as a scruffy, sarcastic, underachiever being forced into the role as hero. Similarly, Millie Bobby Brown replays similar character elements to what we saw of her in Stranger Things - A plucky young woman forced to battle against overwhelming odds to get what she wants. Stanley Tucci with his calm and clinical does a wonderful turn here as the cold baddie who is willing to lock a young boy away in a machine to further his ambitions.
Yeah, so, that is all fine and dandy what do I actually think of the film? As a piece of escapism it looks great and is good fun (particularly the many interesting robots…perhaps upstaging their human co-stars) though the plot is quite predictable. It also feels a bit long and often lethargic as the directors indulge in a great deal of lingering camera work sightseeing…but what amazing looking sights to see!
Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”
Review Date: 2025-03-23
Directed by: Russo Brothers
Studio: AGBO
Year: 2025
Length: 125 minutes
Genre: Science Fiction
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7766378/
Other reviewed films by Russo Brothers:
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- The Gray Man (2022)