30th Jan2025

‘Elevation’ Review

by Janine Pipe

Stars: Anthony Mackie, Danny Boyd Jr., Maddie Hasson, Morena Baccarin | Written by John Glenn, Jacob Roman, Kenny Ryan | Directed by George Nolfi

A single father and two women venture from the safety of their homes to face monstrous creatures to save the life of a young boy.

The synopsis of Elevation doesn’t really give much away and probably with good reason as that is simply the crux of the story. Set several years after some rather odd-looking giant insect creatures invade the earth and wipe out 95% of the population, a handful of humans remain scattered across the planet (we presume although I think only the US is mentioned) and they can only survive if they live at 8000 feet. Minor spoiler, they don’t really explain the whole 8000 feet thing and why the monsters can’t climb any higher than that so if you’re someone who needs logic to understand why each event occurs in a movie then this might be frustrating.

Within this small community is the lovely Will, played by the always on his A Game, and superbly talented Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Winter Soldier, Point Blank, Triple 9) who lives there as a widower with his young son, Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr.). Unfortunately, Hunter has a condition where he needs some sort of medical equipment to help him breathe at night as he sleeps and they are almost at the end of their supply. Since doctor’s surgeries and health practices no longer exist, Will has to travel to the nearest hospital to collect what his son needs to survive. The only trouble is, it’s not an easy journey; there are barely any working vehicles left and at times he will have to be under 8000 feet therefore at risk of being discovered by the creatures and killed.

Will is joined in his mission by fellow survivors Katie (Maddie Hasson) and scientist Nina (Morena Baccarin), who insists after they’ve collected what they need from the hospital, they make a stop at her lab – if they make it that far of course.

Due to the post-apocalyptic subject matter, it’s inevitable Elevation will be compared to A Quiet Place and whilst it doesn’t hold up to that comparison, it is still an okay entry into this particular sub-genre. Yes, the CGI and green screen stuff is a bit naff but there are some tense sequences, some moderate peril and just enough emotion to make you care, at least for Mackie’s character and his son.

I was a little underwhelmed with the ending but it wasn’t terrible and the scenery of the Rocky Mountains is absolutely stunning. It also hits the sweet spot with a 90-minute runtime which is very much appreciated.

Overall whilst bringing nothing really new to the table and suffering from cliched dialogue and disappointing CGI, so long as you go into Elevation knowing this is no The Walking Dead or The Last of Us and the creatures are kind of SyFy Channel-esque then you may well enjoy it. Plus I’m always here for Mackie.

*** 3/5

Elevation releases on Amazon Prime Video on 8th February, courtesy of Signature Entertainment.

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