This was my last movie in the theater. I should’ve read up on it first but this is what I get for thinking that the surprise enhances satisfaction. Anyway, I was looking forward to another remake of the decadent-post-post-modern future. In the past we’ve had a creative mishmash of Mad Max, Waterworld, Judge Dredd, Matrix, Aeon Flux and so on. But with Babylon AD, I was expecting some twist in the story, with the mention of Babylon. Was hoping for a sort of storytelling of Nebuchadnezzar-like decadence as a consequence of human choices. But no. It was Vin Diesel wasting his carefully earned one-dimensional acting in absolutely no dimensional acting. And how about wasting Michelle Yeoh’s martial arts?!! Chronicles of Riddick would have been a joy to watch if only for that bit of the scorching sunlight and the idea of a pervading myth. Nevertheless, watching Babylon AD wasn’t a total waste. Here are some geeky details that are interesting though three out of four are un-cool.
First, the hi-tech MAP (yep–a map, the amazing invention that drivers DO NOT use for the sheer excitement of getting lost) was extremely cool! 
Can’t wait to have that handy someday.
Second, the difference between a mercenary and a terrorist! Catch the dialogue in the beginning. This was HILARIOUS (my eyebrows are reaching the roof). I mean…. HELLOOOOO. Argh.
Third, artificial intelligence as a surrogate parent. This was really pushing it, though the social theorist progeny of the Enlightenment philosophers might have nodded in approval. Bwahaha.
Fourth, the injectible passport. It’s not impossible–but it’s a product of a twisted mind. And it being used for double crossing was totally predictable.
Again, watching it was not a total waste. I became more excited in looking forward to watching the next Star Trek movie. Nothing related. It’s just the natural effect of watching a bad movie. It just heightens the desire to watch something interesting (and yes, Star Trek is interesting…I can already hear the theme song playing).
Just one more bit. I saw Vin Diesel in The Boiler Room while channel surfing the other day. I was pleasantly surprised. It was one and a half dimensional acting. Cool to find out that half a degree makes a world of a difference. Harhar.
–The Fool
WOW FOOL! Thanks for the warning. I had a feeling the movie won’t do well.
About the upcoming Star Trek movie, I’m also excited! I heard it will be directed by the person who directed “Cloverfield” and I’m hoping they would portray Spock accurately… (Im already hearing chimeritron say ‘SpRock’)
Although it’s a bit tiresome though that the ST franchise keeps on going back to the Kirk-Spock-McCoy timeline… Hope they would explore possible storylines after the time of ST: Voyager and DS9.
HAHAHA you’re funny, Resplendent!
i can’t wait!!! yes i hope the new movie will be something really new. i don’t mind having references of voyager. but no more Nexg Gen and DS9, please. I actually love Next Gen because Jean Luc’s time was really one of a kind….but there are so many other things to explore.:)
Vin Diesel has had more fun acting in movies before. Not this one. Saw it alone and that fact says a lot about how this movie did. Even its acclaimed director openly bashed it. Hear hear on Michelle Yeoh’s waste of martial arts and I thought the Mummy was just about it.