Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Good-looking but disappointing, violent sci-fi story.
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2067
What's the Story?
In 2067, the climate crisis has intensified, and oxygen-producing greenery has become all but extinct. Humans are forced to survive on synthetic oxygen, which has side effects that are slowly killing the population. Ethan Whyte (Kodi Smit-McPhee) works in the tunnels alongside his protective older "brother" Jude (Ryan Kwanten), re-routing electrical signals to keep things going. Ethan is bitter about his late father, a prominent scientist, and worried about his wife (Sana'a Shaik), who has the sickness. One day Ethan is called up to meet the high-ranking Jackson (Deborah Mailman). She shows him a time machine that his father had been working on before his death and tells him that they've received a message from 400 years in the future: "Send Ethan Whyte." Ethan must choose to go on a mission into the distant unknown from which he may never return -- but which could save the human race.
Is It Any Good?
This sci-fi tale intrigues for a while with its mystery story and striking visuals, but its long, dull setup and unsatisfying conclusion reveal a tendency for sermonizing over character or story. 2067 takes a full half-hour to get Ethan into the future, and that time isn't particularly well spent. It's mostly hand-wringing and descriptions of how miserable life is; it's all expository, rather than organic. When Ethan finally does arrive in the future, he finds his own skeleton, complete with a nametag. It's a fascinating puzzle. How long has the skeleton been there? Have there been several trips back and forth through time? How many layers does this mystery have?
The answer is actually pretty dumb (the skeleton would have completely crumbled long before Ethan finds it), and the longer Ethan spends in the future, the more apparent it becomes that there are no hidden layers and not much to find. A thick, ponderous music score drones throughout, and 2067 wraps up with more explanation of the plot behind the plot, which basically comes to "humans are dumb and evil and have messed up the world." Ethan's final grand gesture is equally puzzling, and it leaves off with an uncomfortable conundrum: Is he a hero, or is he a petulant kid who throws too many tantrums? The movie's design is the clear winner here, with the run-down, 400-year-old lab surrounded by lush green trees offering memorable visuals, although a crucial FX shot looks rather fake.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about 2067's violence. How did it make you feel? Do you think the story could have been told more effectively with less violence? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How can science fiction be used to tell stories about things that concern audiences in the present?
What does the movie have to say about climate change? What did you learn? What can be done about climate change now?
Why do you think any high-powered person or company would prioritize profits over human life? What are some examples of businesses that do seem to care about people?
Do you think the humans learned a lesson by the end of the story? Will the future be safe, or will Climate Change happen again?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 17, 2020
- Cast : Kodi Smit-McPhee , Ryan Kwanten , Deborah Mailman
- Director : Seth Larney
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : RLJE Films
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : January 13, 2022
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