Sommerleigh Pollonais – Senior Writer
I’m gonna say it from the jump – LX 2048 would’ve been much better if it was cut down and packaged to fit into an episode of Black Mirror.
The year is 2048 and the ozone layer is all but gone, making it impossible for normal humans to go out in the day. Everyone sleeps in the day and works, goes to school, and socialises only at night. They do this via a virtual reality realm and most of the populace are medicated on a drug called LX to help them battle depression. Let’s just say, it’s a clear metaphor for the world we live in, and the possibilities that lie ahead if we don’t get a handle on things. Right, where was I?
Hh So…Adam (James D’Arcy) is a man who has found out his heart is failing and he can’t get a new one. His wife, played by Anna Brewster of The Last Days of American Crime, has left him and taken his kids, but he wants to ensure that their future is protected. So he goes on a mission to try and save his life, before he’s ultimately replaced by a clone. Yep, there are clones in here too, because it’s a dystopian science fiction story, so why not?
I know I sound bitter and it’s probably because I was hoping for something with a bit more energy when I sat down to watch LX 2048. Still, there are a few noteworthy things to talk about. First, actor James D’Arcy (who most of you may recognize as Jarvis from the MCU including the Agent Carter TV series) delivers his lines with gusto. He’s in no way to blame for the negative aspects of this film as he manages to push through the viewer’s tedium and make every moment he’s on screen engaging. Second I thought the plots weren’t bad ones, and the topics of life after death, real connections vs online relationships, and, of course, global warming, are all subtilely introduced, and it never felt like I was being preached at.
Sadly, the character of Adam was written to be the most unlikeable protagonist I have seen in some time, making it hard to root for him in any way. He’s a narcissist, he’s emotionally cruel to his wife and kids, and he seems to think the world owes him in some way for his lack of achievements. Seriously, I typed unlikeable, because what I was calling Adam while watching this movie wasn’t meant for general audiences. I really hated this guy, which made watching the rest of the movie feel like a chore.
They also break the cardinal rule of Show don’t Tell, so I was stuck listening to a bunch of narration instead of seeing all the potentially cool stuff this world had to offer in VR. I’m guessing there were budgeting issues, but I’ve seen a lot of independent sci-fi films that managed to give me some cool techy stuff to look at, so I’m not letting this one get away with it.
Sorry boys and girls, this is one virtual world I would never want to plug into again.
Sommer’s Score: 4.5 out of 10
For my review of dystopian Sci Fi series Brave New World you can click here. And for more Sci Fi reviews that will not disappoint you can like and follow Redmangoreviews on Facebook here.
Sommerleigh of the House Pollonais. First of Her Name. Sushi Lover, Queen of Horror Movies, Comic Books and Binge Watching Netflix. Mother of two beautiful black cats named Vader and Kylo. I think eating Popcorn at the movies should be mandatory, PS4 makes the best games ever and I’ll be talking about movies until the zombie apocalypse comes.
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