Alright movie fans you know Netflix loves to go big and sometimes that means REALLY big budgets. Their latest swing? The Electric State a sci-fi flick directed by the Russo Brothers (yeah the Avengers guys!) starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt. Sounds like a recipe for awesome right? Well… not so fast. Critics are weighing in and let's just say things are looking less "electric" and more… well you'll see.
What's the Deal with 'The Electric State' Anyway? Dystopian 90s Robots and a Road Trip Quest
So what exactly is The Electric State about? Imagine an alternate 1990s America where robots are everywhere but things have gone south. There was a war between humans and robots and now society is hooked on VR headsets to escape the gloomy real world. Millie Bobby Brown plays Michelle a teen who is not into the VR craze. She’s on a mission to find her younger brother Chris. Turns out he might still be out there controlling a Kid Cosmo robot (think a cute yellow robot with a big smile). Together Michelle and Cosmo hit the road across a dystopian American Southwest to find him. It's based on a graphic novel by Simon Stalenhag known for his cool retro-futuristic art.
Russo Brothers Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt: Dream Team or Dystopian Disappointment?
With the Russo Brothers directing and big names like Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) and Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy) you would expect movie magic. The Russos know blockbusters they directed those massive Avengers movies. They have also been doing stuff for Netflix before like Cherry and The Gray Man. But reviews for Electric State are saying this time the magic is missing. Critics are saying the movie feels "soulless" "boring" and just plain "dismal." Ouch.
Wait $300 Million?! Where Did All That Netflix Money Go?
Here is the mind-blowing part. The Electric State reportedly cost Netflix over $300 million. Yes you read that right THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. That makes it Netflix's most expensive movie ever and up there with some of the priciest films of all time. People are scratching their heads wondering where all that cash went. Critics are pointing out that even though the movie looks "expensive" with tons of CGI robots and dystopian landscapes it somehow feels… empty. They are questioning if the money translated to actual substance or just visual flash.
"Tire Fire" and "Piece of Junk": Critics Really Hated 'The Electric State'
Reviews for The Electric State are not pretty. Several reviews are calling it a mess . One review called it a "$320 Million Piece of Junk!". Another described the world of the film as a "tire fire floating in an ocean of piss". That’s… not good. Common complaints are that the movie is humorless lacks charm is not exciting and is just generally a slog to watch. Some say it's trying to be like Spielberg or even Guardians of the Galaxy but falls totally flat. They say it's more like a cheap imitation than the real deal. Ouch again.
Compared to What? From Spielberg to Pixels and Even Rosie from The Jetsons!
Critics are not holding back on the comparisons either. Some are saying it makes them appreciate robot movies like Brad Bird's The Iron Giant even more. Others are comparing it unfavorably to Ready Player One which also had a VR world but was apparently way more fun. One review even joked that Pixels the Adam Sandler video game movie might be better! And get this someone actually said they were missing Rosie the robot maid from The Jetsons while watching Electric State. That’s some serious shade being thrown.
They are also contrasting it with the Russo Brothers' own Marvel work especially the Avengers films. The Avengers movies were huge hits but critics are saying Electric State does not have that same spark or energy. It seems like going from superheroes to robots did not work out so well this time.
Hackneyed Themes and Missed Potential: What Went Wrong with 'The Electric State'?
The movie tries to tackle some big themes like technology addiction and connecting with humanity. But reviewers are calling these themes "hackneyed" and "shallow". They say the movie just skims the surface without really exploring anything meaningful. It is all spectacle and no substance. Even though the robots are intricately designed and the world is visually detailed critics say there is a lack of "imagination" and "inspiration" in the story itself. It sounds like a lot of style but not much heart.
Critics' Biggest Grievances with 'The Electric State': A Listing of Disappointments
- Boring and Soulless: Lacks charm wit and genuine emotion despite high stakes.
- Humorless and Aggressively Chipper Tone: Attempts at humor fall flat and the overall tone is inconsistent.
- Weak Story and Character Development: Plot is thin characters are two-dimensional and motivations are unclear.
- Uninspired Action Scenes: Despite a massive budget action sequences are tedious and lack creativity.
- Hackneyed and Shallow Themes: Themes about technology and humanity are generic and poorly explored.
- Overreliance on Spectacle: Focus on visual effects and world-building overshadows weak narrative.
- Miscast or Checked-Out Actors: Talented actors like Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt seem unengaged or misdirected.
- Excessive Budget for Poor Quality: $300+ million price tag is not reflected in the film's quality or entertainment value.
Netflix's Big Gamble? Is 'The Electric State' a Sign of Streaming Trouble?
The Electric State is a huge gamble for Netflix. Spending so much money on a movie that is getting such negative reviews raises questions about their content strategy. Some reviewers are wondering if this is a sign of a bigger problem with streaming giants just throwing money at projects without focusing on quality or originality. Will audiences even care about another big-budget but ultimately empty spectacle? It remains to be seen if The Electric State will find an audience or just become another example of a massively expensive streaming movie that fizzles out. What do you think? Are you still excited to watch The Electric State or are these reviews turning you away?