Netflix’s The Electric State dropped this week to mixed fanfare. You can’t shake a stick without running into a negative review, but I have to say, take them with a grain of salt. It’s actually entertaining for the most part. Chris Pratt is, well, Chris Pratt. Millie Bobby Brown delivers the “young, stereotypical, film/TV version” of herself, rather than the overcompensating persona we’ve seen in reality lately. “It is what it is” is the best way to put it. Netflix dropped $300 million into this (cost of CGI must have gone up with the cost of eggs). Most complaints have been that for $300 million we should have gotten a better movie. They’re right for the most part, but remember, that $300 million paid for the CGI and the contracts of Brown and Pratt (along with a long list of celeb cameo voices). I will admit one part that really didnt hit the mark for me was Stanley Tucci as “Skate” the main Antagonist. I LOVE Tucci, I love “Searching for Italy” his books, his presence, but hes simply not a villain. I could not take him seriously as a bad guy in this and some of his acting was a bit suspect. He isn’t villainous and shouldn’t be. I literally yelled out “NO STANLEY NO!” at times when his character was pulling some pretty heinous shit.
But arguably the worst part/character in this movie is Giancarlo Esposito's “The Marshall". A robot hunter piloting a vr mech. His lines are delivered horribly, his character simply exists without backstory, he shows up inexplicably everywhere with no idea how. I would have loved to see a different actor in this role, a backstory (even if brief) and more believable premise of his abilities. If I can blame the failure of this movie on anything, it's in this forgettable character and poor acting.
Sorry(deep breath)…..anyway, the film, co-directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, adapts the graphic novel by Simon Stålenhag (right). While mostly taking some plot points and stylization. The film itself differs in some ways from the novel. The main focus of an “Electric State” that sees society “jacking in” to get a sort of heroine high off this VR way of life. The world is drastically altered to bring these headsets to the masses and vr booths are set up like “phone booths” to allow society to jack in on street corners. Its obvious that this new world is addicted to this “VR drug” and something needs to change.
Synopsis:
The Electric State It follows Michelle (Brown), a young girl navigating a post-“robot uprising” 1990s. She stumbles upon some friends and foes as she makes her way across a post apocalyptic robotic wasteland with Starlord… er Chris Pratt. In this alternate-reality, Once Upon a Time in LA-styled world, Walt Disney invents robots in the 1950s as amusement park ambassadors, meant to take on tasks humans didn’t want to do. Over time, Disney’s robots became more integrated into daily life, performing all essential jobs. But by the late '80s and early '90s, they start to revolt. They crave freedom. As war looms, Michelle and her brother Christopher (Woody Norman), a child prodigy preparing for an early college admission, attend his entrance exam. It’s immediately clear that Christopher is exceptional smart. A genius. He finishes an acceptance quick faster than most take to complete page 1.
Soon after, the Robot Wars break out. However, humans have the upper hand. In the early '90s, Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci) launches “Sentre”, a VR-based company that allows humans to exist in two places at once. Through a VR headset, they can remotely pilot mechs (meant to replace the robots) while physically lounging on a beach or relaxing at home. This tech enables humans to disengage from reality while still performing tasks through their robotic avatars.With these mechs, humans easily win the war. But before the uprising, Michelle’s parents and brother die, (not due to the robots-wars) but in a separate car accident. Now orphaned, she is placed in foster care under none other than... George Costanza. ….Yup….you read that right.
Michelle soon meets an old robot named Cosmo, who reveals an unfathomable truth. Determined to get to the bottom of a dark conspiracy, she enlists Keats (Chris Pratt), a nostalgia-hawking hipster (essentially the human embodiment of a 1990s eBay) Together, they embark on a journey, accompanied by their robot companions, to unravel the mystery and take down Sentre, the VR company that pretty much owns the word.
At first, I expected The Electric State to be a Ready Player One-style nostalgia-fest, overflowing with Easter eggs. While there are a few scattered throughout, it doesn’t deliver nearly as much as you’d hope. For a movie marketed as a '90s treasure trove, it falls short of what Spielberg achieved with Ready Player One. The central technology in both films shares similarities, VR has overtaken society, making people forget their humanity, all while a massive, corrupt corporation profits from everyone’s detachment from reality.
Pratt is Pratt. If you like Chris Pratt, you’ll enjoy him here. If you’re sick of Prat always being Pratt, this movie won’t change your mind. You’ll probably hate this film.Brown does a decent job portraying a late-'90s teenager. Her exact age is never specified, but since she’s never driven before (in 1 scene), she can’t be too old. She plays it safe, much like Pratt, staying within her familiar typecast. The wardrobe is serviceable, though Pratt’s style doesn’t quite fit the '90s aesthetic, and that wig sucks. no idea whos hair looked liked this in the 90s.
The Story: Rushed but Entertaining
The adaptation feels rushed. While it diverges some from the graphic novel, it managed to keep me entertained. Is it the best writing? Not even close. It feels like a typical blockbuster script, hitting the key plot beats, padding it with impressive CGI, and wrapping it up within a tight two-hour runtime. Its warm hearted throughout, but the ending leaves a sour taste in your mouth.
The Visuals: A 1950s Sci-Fi Dream
Where The Electric State truly shines is in its visuals. If you love great CGI and ‘50s retro-futurism, this movie delivers. The ‘90s nostalgia may be lacking, but the ‘50s-inspired Disney-esque robots? They’re everywhere….and honestly, I loved it. The film leans heavily into the “World’s Fair” vision of the future., where all the robots look like they were designed by Disney Imagineers frankl they were). It might be overkill, but I don’t care. I’ve always loved that aesthetic. The cartooney 50s/60s future vibe is still cool to this day. Im hoping for more of it in the new F4ntastic Four movie (see what I did there?)
The Russo Effect?
I was honestly surprised that the Russo brothers were attached to this film after watching it. It didn’t feel like their movie, similar to how Speed Racer (2008) didn’t feel like a Lana and Lilly Wachowski film. Given their impressive work on The Gray Man (2022), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Civil War (2016), and the Avengers films (2018/2019), I couldn’t help but wonder: “Which one of their kids did they make this for?”
Final Verdict
It’s not as bad as the critics make it out to be. The story, while generic, is engaging enough. The visuals alone make it worth a watch. If you don’t mind all the “ChrisPratting” and Millie Bobby Brown in another typical teen role, you’ll be entertained. Outside of this film, I’d love to see both actors take on deeper, more challenging roles instead of playing it safe with big paychecks.
Rating?
6.8? Maybe 3 out of 5 stars. 22 Pizza Slices out of 30? Honestly, I haven’t rated anything in a while, I’m out of practice on how to rate things.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
COME BACK HERE AFTER YOU WATCHED AND SCROLL ON FOR LITTLE TASTY NUGGET. FOR NOW GO AWAY.. STOP READING!!! unless you don’t mind mild spoilers
REALLY.. STOP OR YOU’LL SPOIL IT !!
LAST CHANCE……
OK..
TOP 4 HERMAN sizes
4. Regular Herman
Most of the movies sees Herman in his 4 ft form (voiced by Anthony Mackie). You get to know him and love him mainly from this version roughly 95% of the him in this film is Medium Herman.
3. XL Herman
A few times through out the movie we get to see 4 ft Herman pilot a 20 ft mech. He rides in the head and controls it with hand and foot controls. Its pretty cool
2. 8inch Herman
Big Spoiler.. at the end of the film we see Medium Herman die. Pratt has a touching moment with his dead bot corpse only to reveal inside Medium Herman’s head was yet another tiny 8 inch Herman driving him. STILL ALIVE. He’s a Russia Nesting Doll!
1. XXL
The Best | The Biggest | The Baddest
A Herman, inside a Herman, Inside a Herman, inside a Herman. 8inch Herman pilots medium Herman, who at times pilots a 20 ft Herman (if they find one) who then pilots a 60 ft Behemoth for the final battle!!!
Thats it.. go away.. bye bye