The Electric State has had a reaction from viewers quite unlike anything I’ve ever seen. While the majority say that it was “trash”, I feel like an outcast that has a positive review.
This movie takes place in an alternate universe where humans and robots are at war with one another. Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) is an orphan living with her foster father when she encounters a robot claiming to be her deceased brother. After learning he’s being held at a research facility, the two set out to rescue him while meeting Keats (Chris Pratt) and his robot sidekick Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie). Together they journey across the US in hopes to take down billionaire tech lord, Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci).
“This movie belongs in the trash” “Absolute garbage” yeah yeah yeah, we heard your side. Now let’s listen to mine. I really enjoyed this movie. Perhaps other people never made the same connection I did to our current state of the world, but there were several themes that hit a little too close to home. Such as a billionaire tech dude meddling with people’s lives and his downfall (downfall pending irl, mind you). A minority group fighting for the right to exist. Humanity’s ever growing dependency on technology to dull the pain of reality. Maybe it’s just me who made these connections but making them made me realize “well what if this is the direction we could be headed in as a species?”. Or maybe I’m just reaching too hard and trying to find a connection that makes the most sense.
It also made me laugh and cry. Funny how some folks (me) get attached to little CGI robots on a screen and feel so much empathy for them. They might not be expressive facial wise but goodness, their voice actors made it that much better. They weren’t robotic or monotone but instead they were expressive; sarcasm, fear, joy, all the emotions that would’ve been expressed through the body or face on a human were all felt through their voices and I think that’s such an accomplishment considering viewers can’t see their face. They only have a voice to go by. (Would also like to point out that Herm is the love of my life. That little robot? I’d commit crimes for that little guy. Anthony Mackie did such a good job making me fall in love with this character).
So why is this movie so hated? I personally don’t understand the hate but I do understand that some people have standards. While some are always on the lookout for award winning films (let’s face it. They’re not all meant to be Oscar nominations) others look for….god knows what. I have no clue. People will hate just to hate. Was it a perfect movie? No. Were there aspects that could’ve been better? Definitely. But at the end of the day, you can’t please everyone and everyone has different tastes in movies.
Overall: 4/5. It was a fun watch if you’re looking for something to do on a weekend.
The Electric State is available to stream now on Netflix.
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