Things to Come

1936 science fiction movie

Rating: 14/20

Plot: In 1940, a second World War breaks out. It's a long, devastating war, one that leaves civilization primitive and plague-ridden, a world of rubble and mist. Zombies and barbarism abound. But not to worry, kids! Science and technology is here to save the day! Let's build a flying machine! Let's dress in silver! To the moon or bust, caveman!

The ideas of H.G. Wells are interesting if not exactly prescient and the special effects and imagery isn't all that dated. The unfortunate thing here is that the movie is so boring. This is great whenever nobody is talking, but it's laughable and silly whenever they do. I think that's likely because the English are mostly laughable and silly and boring. The montages of war-torn society have a modern feel, and the set design (the ravages of war and the futuristic civilization 100 years after the war) look terrific. Too bad there's a story. I reckon this is something that fans of the sci-fi genre should check out even if they won't enjoy it all that much.

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