By 
“AFTER EARTH” *
Everybody loves Will Smith. Audiences worldwide are so familiar with his charismatic persona, making him one of the biggest stars of all time, something like a friendly and adorable figure that everyone wants to welcome into their homes. Part of this affection towards him is the fact that he’s a smart actor, successful with his choices, that avoid vulgarity or exploitation, usually incorporating the hero figure that saves everyone’s lives, or someone facing challenges, who really needs our comprehension.
He is also a parent role model for many stars, preserving his family and building a career with them on sight. Working with family doesn’t always generate good results. Despite his success, there’s something really wrong with this science fiction penned by director M. Night Shyamalan, inspired by an idea from him. Surprisingly among the many reasons which the film doesn’t work out, is actually Smith’s character and performance who makes it sink completely. This is the first time, he cannot create admiration, or affection or even interest for his character. His performance as a strict and angry-like space soldier aboard a ship that crashes and leaves him and his son stranded on Earth, with a risky task to survive, 1.000 years after events forced Humans to evacuate, is so bad, that is impossible not to laugh at his robotic movements, the statue face, and arrogant way of talking to everyone, especially when it comes to his son.
Jaden Smith is trying his best to become a good actor, but here also, he is too comfortable and doesn’t really convince, maybe because, the movie was made among family, his mother is also one of the producers. Due to his injuries in the crash, Smith’s character is forced to remain on the ship, while little Jaden goes on an adventure through the dangers of the devastated planet, in search of an element that could save them. Along the way, he fights hungry savage animals and a monster, but that doesn’t really motivate anyone. Of course, we are cheering for them, but the process could have been better, if also the screenplay would’ve opened space to discuss the relationship between father and son and companionship. Instead, Shyamalan proves once again, that he has lost the balance for cinema a long time ago, testing audiences’ relevance. In the other hand, it is Smith’s family hangout, which is good for them, but not satisfying enough to entertain the others. Better luck next time.
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