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Review Film 65 A Prehistoric Sci-Fi Adventure
xjaypro
December 19, 2024 6:06 pm
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14 min read
Film Synopsis and Setting
Sixty-five million years ago, things went sideways for Mills (Adam Driver), a pilot whose spaceship crashes on a prehistoric Earth. Think Jurassic Park, but with significantly less Jeff Goldblum and significantly more existential dread. He’s not alone, either; a young girl, Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), is also a survivor of the crash, and together they must navigate a landscape teeming with dinosaurs and a desperate race against time. It’s less a prehistoric vacation and more a prehistoric survival horror.
The film’s prehistoric setting is visually stunning, a vibrant yet brutal landscape. Lush jungles contrast sharply with jagged, volcanic rock formations. The dinosaurs themselves are a mix of familiar and terrifyingly unfamiliar creatures, rendered with impressive CGI. Think vibrant greens and browns of the vegetation, punctuated by the grey and ochre tones of the rocky terrain. The lighting often shifts between dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy and the ominous shadows cast by towering prehistoric flora, adding to the suspense. The overall effect is a breathtaking, yet undeniably dangerous, world.
Key Characters and Their Relationships
Mills, a hardened pilot grappling with the loss of his family and his own mortality, is initially focused on survival. Koa, a resourceful and surprisingly resilient young girl, is initially frightened but quickly adapts to the harsh realities of their situation. Their relationship evolves from a reluctant partnership forged by necessity to something akin to a paternal bond, with Mills protecting Koa while learning to rely on her ingenuity. Their shared trauma and the fight for survival create a powerful, albeit unlikely, connection.
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Film Tone and Atmosphere, Review film 65
The film maintains a consistent tone of suspense and tension. While there are moments of action and even fleeting moments of hope, the overall atmosphere is one of impending doom. The constant threat of predatory dinosaurs and the knowledge of their limited resources contribute to a pervasive sense of dread. The vastness and untamed nature of the prehistoric landscape further emphasizes the characters’ vulnerability and isolation. The soundtrack underscores this atmosphere with a blend of orchestral scores and unsettling soundscapes that reflect the peril they face. The overall feeling is a thrilling blend of survival story and science fiction, with the ever-present shadow of extinction looming large.
Visual Effects and Cinematography: Review Film 65
“65,” despite its relatively modest budget compared to blockbuster sci-fi epics, boasts a surprisingly impressive visual spectacle. The film cleverly blends practical effects with CGI to create a believable, if somewhat stylized, prehistoric world. The filmmakers’ choices in cinematography further enhance the film’s tense atmosphere and thrilling action sequences.
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The visual effects in “65” are largely successful in creating a convincing prehistoric landscape. The lush vegetation, towering dinosaurs, and the overall sense of a primeval world are convincingly rendered, even if some close-ups reveal the digital nature of the creatures. The team effectively utilized CGI to populate the landscape with believable flora and fauna, skillfully integrating them with the practical sets and locations. The destruction caused by both meteor impacts and dinosaur attacks is convincingly depicted, utilizing a blend of digital and practical effects to maximize impact. The use of digital dinosaurs is particularly noteworthy, as they manage to avoid the uncanny valley effect often associated with CGI creatures. They’re rendered with a level of detail and realism that makes them feel tangible and menacing.
Prehistoric World Recreation
The film’s success in portraying a prehistoric world lies in its thoughtful integration of CGI with practical elements. The digital dinosaurs are not merely superimposed onto a background; they interact convincingly with the environment, leaving tracks in the mud, displacing vegetation, and creating realistic shadows. The use of practical sets and locations, augmented by CGI, provides a grounded and tangible feel, avoiding the sterile, overly-polished look that can plague some CGI-heavy films. The color palette is muted and earthy, further enhancing the sense of a raw, untamed environment. This contrasts with the vibrant, almost hyper-realistic visuals seen in some more recent science fiction films.
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Cinematography Techniques for Suspense and Action
The cinematography in “65” is characterized by its use of dynamic camera movements, close-ups to heighten tension, and a masterful use of lighting to create atmosphere. During the action sequences, the camera frequently employs shaky cam techniques, immersing the viewer in the chaos and danger. In contrast, quieter moments are punctuated by carefully composed shots, often employing wide angles to showcase the vastness and isolation of the prehistoric landscape. Low-light scenes, often lit by flickering flames or the glow of the damaged spaceship, create a palpable sense of dread and vulnerability. This contrasts sharply with the bright, highly saturated visuals often found in more optimistic sci-fi films.
Visual Style Comparison
Compared to other science fiction films, “65” occupies a unique visual space. While it shares some similarities with films like “Jurassic Park” in its depiction of dinosaurs, its overall aesthetic is grittier and less polished. It avoids the polished, almost utopian feel of many contemporary sci-fi films, opting instead for a more grounded, survivalist aesthetic. It’s closer in tone to films like “The Martian” in its focus on survival and the harsh realities of a hostile environment, but with a more pronounced emphasis on action and suspense. The color palette is significantly more muted than the vibrant hues often found in films like “Avatar” or “Dune.”
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Visual Effects Shot Analysis
| Shot | Effect | Impact |
| Mills escaping a collapsing cave | CGI rockfall, practical set collapse | Enhances the sense of immediate danger and peril |
| Dinosaur attack on the spaceship | CGI dinosaurs, practical explosion effects | Creates a spectacle of chaotic destruction |
| Close-up of a dinosaur’s eye | CGI detail, subtle lighting | Highlights the creature’s predatory nature and intelligence |
| Wide shot of the prehistoric landscape at sunset | CGI environment, natural lighting | Emphasizes the scale of the setting and its beauty |
Character Development and Performances
Adam Driver and Ariana Greenblatt deliver compelling performances in 65, showcasing a surprising amount of emotional depth within the constraints of a prehistoric survival story. While the plot throws a lot at them, their performances anchor the film and make the audience invest in their unlikely partnership. The film successfully balances action sequences with quieter moments that allow the actors to explore the nuances of their characters.
The film’s central arc revolves around Mills (Driver), a hardened pilot grappling with immense guilt and a desperate need for survival, and Koa (Greenblatt), a resourceful young girl battling fear and the weight of her own trauma. Their character development isn’t a smooth, linear progression; instead, it’s a jagged, emotionally raw journey reflecting the harsh realities of their situation.
Mills’ Character Arc and Performance
Adam Driver masterfully portrays Mills’ internal struggle. Initially, he’s a man defined by his professional failures and haunted by the loss of his daughter. This grief, subtly woven into his performance through his guarded demeanor and occasional flashes of despair, fuels his relentless drive to survive and, ultimately, to protect Koa. Driver expertly conveys the transformation of Mills from a self-absorbed pilot to a reluctant but ultimately devoted protector, showcasing both vulnerability and unexpected strength. The weight of his past choices is palpable, adding depth to his desperate attempts to redeem himself in the present.
Koa’s Character Arc and Performance
Ariana Greenblatt gives a breakout performance as Koa. Her portrayal is nuanced and avoids typical tropes of the “wise child” archetype. Koa is initially frightened and distrustful, understandably so given her circumstances. However, her resilience and resourcefulness are evident from the beginning, gradually blossoming as she adapts to her surroundings and forms a bond with Mills. Greenblatt convincingly portrays Koa’s emotional journey, showcasing her fear, determination, and burgeoning trust in Mills with impressive maturity. The contrast between her initial fear and her eventual courage is both believable and deeply affecting.
Character Motivations and Flaws
Mills is driven by a deep-seated guilt over his past mistakes and a desperate desire to survive to return to his daughter, a powerful motivator despite his initial reluctance to connect with Koa. His primary flaw is his initial self-centeredness and difficulty trusting others, a characteristic that gradually erodes as he forms a bond with Koa. Koa, on the other hand, is motivated by a primal instinct for survival and a growing need for connection. Her vulnerability, while initially a weakness, becomes her strength, enabling her to forge a bond with Mills that transcends their differences.
Character Relationships and Their Evolution
The relationship between Mills and Koa is the heart of the film. Initially characterized by mistrust and a power imbalance, their relationship evolves into a complex and ultimately touching partnership forged in the crucible of shared adversity. Their journey showcases a mutual respect that blossoms as they learn to rely on each other for survival. The film subtly but effectively depicts their transition from strangers fighting for survival to a makeshift family unit, finding strength in their unlikely bond. The evolution of their relationship is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.
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Themes and Narrative Structure
“65,” despite its prehistoric setting and creature feature elements, isn’t just a mindless romp through a dinosaur-infested landscape. It cleverly weaves together several compelling themes, using a surprisingly intricate narrative structure to deliver a surprisingly emotional punch. The film skillfully balances thrilling action sequences with moments of quiet reflection, creating a narrative tapestry rich with meaning.
The film’s primary themes revolve around survival, loss, and the unexpected power of connection in the face of overwhelming odds. Mills, our protagonist, grapples not only with the immediate threat of extinction-level dinosaurs, but also with the profound grief of losing his daughter. This personal tragedy fuels his desperate struggle for survival, adding a layer of emotional depth that elevates the film beyond a simple monster movie. The narrative structure cleverly interweaves his present-day fight for survival with flashbacks to his past, revealing the depth of his loss and ultimately shaping his motivations. This isn’t just about escaping the dinosaurs; it’s about finding a reason to keep fighting, even when hope seems lost.
Thematic Exploration of Survival, Loss, and Connection
The film masterfully intertwines the physical struggle for survival with the emotional turmoil of loss. Mills’s every action, from his desperate attempts to repair his damaged spacecraft to his cautious movements through the dense jungle, is motivated by his desire to survive and perhaps, find a way to somehow connect with his lost daughter beyond the grave. His relationship with Koa, the young girl he encounters, provides a surprising avenue for redemption and a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. Their unlikely bond becomes a powerful symbol of human connection in the face of unimaginable adversity, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. This theme is subtly but powerfully underscored by the film’s visuals, the vibrant greens of the prehistoric landscape contrasting sharply with the muted tones of Mills’s memories, visually representing the struggle between hope and despair.
Narrative Structure and Pacing
“65” employs a non-linear narrative structure, skillfully blending present-day action with flashbacks to Mills’s life before the crash. These flashbacks are not merely exposition dumps; they are integral to understanding his motivations and emotional arc. The pacing is expertly managed, alternating between intense action sequences and quieter, more emotionally charged moments. The film builds suspense gradually, allowing the audience to connect with Mills and Koa before unleashing the full force of the prehistoric world upon them. This careful balance prevents the film from becoming overly reliant on spectacle, allowing the emotional core of the story to resonate deeply with the viewer.
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Use of Flashbacks and Other Narrative Devices
The flashbacks in “65” aren’t just random snippets of the past; they are carefully chosen moments that reveal crucial aspects of Mills’s character and his relationship with his daughter. These flashbacks provide context for his present actions, explaining his determination to survive and the weight of his grief. The use of these flashbacks is crucial in making Mills a relatable character despite his initially gruff exterior. They are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, never feeling forced or out of place. The film avoids relying on excessive exposition, letting the visuals and the characters’ actions tell much of the story.
Visual Representation of the Film’s Plot Structure
The plot of “65” can be represented as a flowchart, highlighting the interwoven timelines:
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- Start: Spaceship crash on prehistoric Earth.
- Present Day (Main Timeline): Mills and Koa struggle for survival, facing dinosaur attacks and environmental challenges. This timeline features the majority of the action sequences.
- Flashback 1: Mills’s life before the crash, showing his daughter and his family life. This flashback reveals his grief and motivates his actions in the present.
- Present Day (Main Timeline): Mills and Koa forge a bond, sharing experiences and finding moments of connection amidst the chaos.
- Flashback 2: Another flashback revealing a key moment in Mills’s relationship with his daughter, further solidifying his motivation.
- Present Day (Main Timeline): The climax – a final confrontation with dinosaurs and a desperate attempt to escape.
- Present Day (Main Timeline): Resolution – the outcome of their struggle for survival and the implications for their future.
Sound Design and Music
“65,” despite its prehistoric setting, boasts a surprisingly sophisticated soundscape that goes beyond the usual roars and crunches of a dinosaur flick. The film cleverly blends visceral sound effects with a subtly powerful score to create a truly immersive and emotionally resonant experience. It’s a testament to the power of audio in building tension, highlighting the fragility of life, and ultimately, enhancing the overall narrative.
The film’s sound design is a masterclass in creating atmosphere. The use of ambient sounds, from the rustling of leaves in the alien jungle to the low hum of the damaged spaceship, is incredibly effective in building a sense of isolation and vulnerability. The sounds aren’t merely background noise; they actively contribute to the feeling of being trapped in a hostile environment. The contrast between the almost unnervingly quiet moments and the sudden, explosive bursts of dinosaur roars and gunfire is expertly handled, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
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Sound Effects and Ambient Sounds
The sound effects in “65” are meticulously crafted. The roars of the dinosaurs are particularly impressive, feeling both powerful and terrifyingly real. They aren’t just generic monster sounds; they possess a weight and presence that convey the sheer scale and power of these creatures. The sounds of Mills’s injuries, the metallic screech of his ship, and the thud of his footsteps on the alien terrain are all equally well-executed, contributing to a heightened sense of realism. The subtle inclusion of wind, rain, and the creaking of the damaged spacecraft further emphasizes the desolate and unforgiving nature of the environment, adding layers of tension to even the quieter scenes. The film avoids relying on over-the-top sound effects, instead opting for a more naturalistic and understated approach which greatly enhances the impact.
Musical Score and Emotional Impact
The musical score for “65” serves as a crucial emotional backbone. It’s largely atmospheric and understated, often utilizing low, rumbling tones and subtle percussion to underscore the film’s sense of unease and danger. During more intense sequences, the score swells dramatically, enhancing the feeling of impending doom or desperate struggle. The music doesn’t overpower the sound effects; rather, it complements and amplifies them, creating a synergistic effect that is both powerful and moving. In quieter moments, the score uses delicate melodies to highlight the emotional fragility of Mills and Koa’s relationship and their desperate fight for survival. This careful balance between subtle underlining and powerful crescendos ensures the score remains a crucial element in shaping the emotional journey of the film.
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Comparison to Similar Genre Films
Compared to other science fiction/action films featuring prehistoric creatures (like “Jurassic Park” or “King Kong”), “65” takes a more grounded and realistic approach to its sound design. While those films often employ more bombastic and exaggerated sound effects, “65” prioritizes a more naturalistic and immersive soundscape. This difference is noticeable; “65” leans into a more visceral, almost documentary-style approach, creating a more intimate and terrifying experience for the viewer. The score, similarly, avoids the overly dramatic orchestral swells often found in similar films, opting for a more understated and nuanced approach.
Examples of Specific Sound Design Choices
One particularly effective example is the use of a low, guttural rumble that precedes the appearance of a large dinosaur. This rumble subtly builds tension, creating a sense of dread even before the creature is visible on screen. Another powerful moment involves the sound of Mills’s labored breathing as he struggles to escape a collapsing cave-in, emphasizing his vulnerability and the desperation of his situation. The silence following the attack of a dinosaur, punctuated only by Mills’ ragged breathing, amplifies the terror and the isolation of the situation far more effectively than any dramatic score could. These examples illustrate the film’s commitment to using sound design not just for effect, but to genuinely enhance the emotional experience of the viewer.