Movie Review : Babylon A.D.

Author: Izarrudin
Category: Movies
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Monday
Sep 8,2008

Babylon A.D. will be in Singapore on 11th September 2008. This much-maligned sci-fi action flick is watchable for the most part and occasionally quite enjoyable but it’s ultimately ruined by a truncated and nonsensical ending that smacks of studio interference. Warning spoilers!

Based on a French novel, Babylon A.D. is set in the not-too-distant future and stars Vin Diesel as ridiculously named mercenary Toorop. When sleazy gangster Gorsky (Gerard Depardieu) makes Toorop an offer he can’t refuse, he agrees to smuggle a mysterious young woman named Aurora (Melanie Thierry) and her guardian, Sister Rebeka (Michelle Yeoh) from a convent in Eastern Europe to New York, via the frozen tundra of Alaska and Canada.

However, it soon emerges that two separate groups are after Aurora and when Toorop discovers that she may have special powers, he realises that the fate of mankind may hang in the balance.

The setting and even the sets of Babylon A.D. are very much familiar to any sci-fi film that’s “near the future”. That said, Kassovitz’s vision of the future is packed with detail, even if it does go a little overboard on the product placement (e.g. airplanes emblazoned with the Coke Zero logo).

Diesel makes a fine lead, even if he’s not required to do much in the way of actual acting. Still, there’s strong support from both Yeoh and Thierry, while Mark Strong adds a bit of colour as an acquaintance of Toorop’s who helps them secure passage on a submarine.

Director Mathieu Kassovitz has already spoken out against the film, citing studio interference. Frankly, you can see his point – the violence has been downgraded in pursuit of a 12A certificate and the film has apparently had a good 15 minutes chopped out of it, to the point where the hideously truncated finale makes very little sense and is deeply unsatisfying as a result.

Babylon A.D. has its moments and is never less than watchable, but it’s ultimately scuppered by a disappointing finale.Approach this film with caution but if you enjoy sci-fi action flicks, this one is not a problem for you.

credits: ViewLondon

Official Movie Poster
Movie Review : Babylon A.D.

Singapore Date: 11th September 2008
Language: English
Rating: PG
Genre: Thriller / Action
Starring: Mélanie Thierry, Vin Diesel, Gerard Depardieu, Lambert Wilson, Gérard Depardieu
Directed by: John Schultz, Mathieu Kassovitz
Company: Canal+
Singapore Distributor: 20th Century Fox

iZone Rating:

6.5/10
Official Website :
Babylon A.D.

Movie Trailer