Mortal Engines

Mortal Engines is a 2018 post-apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Christian Rivers and produced by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, the award-winning creators behind The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. It's based on the first novel of the same name from a series of four books penned by British author Philip Reeve. The ensemble cast features Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, and Hugo Weaving, who breathe life into their respective characters and the unusual circumstances surrounding them.

The film immerses viewers into a post-apocalyptic world set thousands of years after a cataclysmic event known as the "Sixty Minute War," rendering traditional countries obsolete and reshaping the earth into a dystopic wasteland. Humanity has adapted and survived by creating mobile cities, otherwise known as Traction cities, which are colossal, motorized metropolises mounted on vast wheels. These nomadic mega-cities roam around the now desolate landscapes, subsisting on resources taken from smaller towns and settlements in the extreme system named as Municipal Darwinism—a powerful parallel to the survival of the fittest concept derived from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Hera Hilmar portrays the sullen yet determined Hester Shaw, who holds a personal vendetta against the antagonist Thaddeus Valentine, played by Hugo Weaving. Valentine is a commanding figure, the Head Historian of the sprawling behemoth that is the city of London, adjusted to tread on the ruined earth. He is a man of refined tastes and ambitions, immensely respected or feared by London’s denizens, yet harbouring sinister machinations behind his charismatic persona.

Robert Sheehan plays Tom Natsworthy, an idealistic historian from London, whose chance involvement in Hester's vengeful mission plunges him into the harsh reality outside his city. He acts as a surrogate for the audience, experiencing the brutal system's inequalities for the first time. The lives of Hester and Tom unexpectedly intertwine, sending them on a heart-pounding adventure through the vast desolate wastes and intricacies of this harsh new world.

As the film progresses, viewers are introduced to more striking characters like the innovative and rebellious Anna Fang, played by Jihae. These characters broaden our perspective on the universe of Mortal Engines, revealing its stark beauty and haunting desolation, its resourceful inhabitants, and the stark contrasts between the haves and have-nots.

What makes Mortal Engines especially noteworthy is the world-building—the elaborate and awe-inspiring visual spectacle of its moving cities. Driven by proficiently crafted CGI, the cities are depicted as monstrous machines devouring everything in their path. The film's industrial revolution aesthetics blends with steampunk-inspired designs, engineering marvels, and an imaginative landscape to create an extravagant cinematic universe that is nothing short of spectacular.

Besides the impressive visuals, the movie effectively touches on themes such as survival, freedom, and the cyclical nature of power, with enough room left for innuendos about our current society's environmental and socio-political issues.

Mortal Engines is not just about ceaseless high-octane action or heart-stopping visual spectacle, but a character-driven story as well. The emotional core of the movie lies in the personal journeys of Hester, Tom, and the folks they meet along their unpredictable journey. Despite the challenging environment, they experience growth, revelation, and redemption, illuminating the resilience of human spirit amidst the devastation.

While Mortal Engines may be a post-apocalyptic science fiction tale, it's also a story about humanity and exploration. It's a testament to societies adapting and evolving, the persistence of life amidst destruction, and the power of shared histories—elements that make the movie a perhaps surprisingly profound cinematic experience.

Much like the engines that power its colossal cities, the film is a labour of love, imagination, and creative technology that fuels its engaging action, sharply defined characters, and multifaceted story. Mortal Engines, in essence, is about embarking on a voyage into the unknown—a journey that, for the audience, is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.