Mortal Engines

Mortal Engines 2018

• Director: Christian Rivers
• Based on novel by Philip Reeve
• Cast: Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, Hugo Weaving, Jihae, Ronan Raferty, Leila George, Patrick Malahide, Colin Salmon, Regé-Jean Page
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Robert Sheehan - Fortitude
• Hugo Weaving – Strangerland, The Hobbit etc, Cloud Atlas, V for Vendetta, Little Fish, Lord of the Rings etc, Matrix etc, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert
• Patrick Malahide – Brideshead Revisited, Extras, Billy Elliot, The World Is Not Enough, Long Kiss Goodnight, Middlemarch
• Colin Salmon – Merlin, Doctor Who, Die Another Day, The World Is Not Enough, Tomorrow Never Dies
• Why?  Curious
• Seen:  15 November 2019

 In the far future after the near destruction of the planet and humanity, predator cities have arisen. They eat smaller cities and towns. The city of London is powerful and ruthless in devouring everything in its path. It is run by Thaddeus Valentine (Weaving) and Magnus Crome (Malahide). Young apprentice historian Tom (Sheehan) is all for it. He’s in love with Valentine’s daughter Katherine (George) and then he meets Hester (Hilmar) when she tries to assassinate Valentine. With good reason.

The concept is bizarre and while reading the book this week I wondered how on earth they would film it.

Surprisingly successfully, it turns out. The city and flying things are astounding. The story is condensed but it retains the essence. The cast was well chosen, especially Sheehan and Hilmar.

The book’s unexpectedly grim ending bothered me. This ending isn’t quite so grim. Maybe a little too non-grim but I almost prefer it, sweetness notwithstanding.

4 * of 5