Walking into this movie I did not have high expectations even though it was from the producers of the Lord of the Rings (which they were amazing). I was thinking it was going to change the way I look at that series. In a way this movie has the same flow as Fellowship of the Rings did, but Mortal Engines is basically a clash of multiple movies. In fact, Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson who were co-producers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy were co-directors in this movie alongside of Philippa Boyens.
In all war movies and even in the real world, one side, city or country gains great power and tries to conquer their opponents. And to no surprise, that is what happens in this film. The great city of London has the largest and most powerful machinery and the most advanced weaponry. As you will see here its London’s desire to overpower all others.
A man named Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan), a historian “scavenger” is aboard London. Even though he not knowingly was an important part to a very powerful quantum weapon, he was still treated like dirt by many people. Gladly there is one person that thought kindly of him, and that’s Katherine Valentine (Leila George). He was socially labeled as an outcast and unnoticed by all that matters before meeting her. Kathrine Valentine has power because she is the daughter of the “amazing” Captain Valentine (Hugo Weaving) who heads up most of the London machine. He gets his power because he controls the science and weapons area.
London overtakes an outdated country’s machine early in the movie that is controlled by a woman, Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar). Long ago Thaddeus Valentine worked with her mother and when she found something that contained an unknowing amount of power. To obtain something like that would bring devastation if in the wrong hands. To get this sacred item he had to kill her for it. Not only did the country bring her on board, but also her lifelong grudge against Captain Valentine. So begins a story of poor choices that lead to a crazy Mad Max like barren world with only one thing to do, find a safe haven for killers, scavengers, and slave seekers.
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Throughout the movie there were a few fragments of originality, but very little. The slave trade and slave catchers I thought are pretty cool and how they brought them along in the story. Otherwise it’s a Star Wars, Mad Max, Terminator movie. To sum it up, the movie in a few words is about people trying to a safe haven run into some expected problems on the way, including a man with power who plans to rule.
Mortal Engines has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sequences of futuristic violence and action. As well as the use of alcohol and profanity.
(2 out of 5 Stars)