After Earth

If you have come to this review with the preconceived notion that your favorite actor Will Smith can do no wrong then I recommend you stop reading and close this page. For those of you who are still reading I will let you know that yes once again M. Night Shyamalan has disappointed us with yet another movie. After Earth centers around a father and son, Cypher Raige played by (Will Smith) and Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith) who are left stranded on earth after surviving a cash landing following an asteroid shower. The movie takes place 1000 years into the future after the evacuation of earth and the relocation to a new home, Nova Prime. Though everything seemed to be working out well for humans they soon found themselves in conflict with an alien race who released beasts called Ursas to eradicate the population. These Ursas
though blind could track humans through the pheromones secreted  when they show fear. However, General Cypher of the United Ranger Core figured out a way to disguise himself and be completely invisible to the Ursa by relinquishing his fear, which they called "ghosting".

  

 Kitai and Cypher's only way to off the planet is to signal for help using a beacon that is in the tail of the ship which broke off on entry to earth. Kitai must embark on this journey alone to retrieve the beacon and signal for help as an injured Cypher stays in the ship and monitors him with the help of drones. They must now rely on each other in order to have any chance of being rescued which will test the strength of their relationship as Cypher the absentee father and the Kitai the son who blames himself for the death of his sister who was killed by an Ursa as he helplessly watched. 

Kitai finally arrives at the wrecked tail of the ship and retrieves the beacon but is unable send the signal so he now must find a higher point. As Kitai meets the mountain he comes face to face with the Ursa that was also on their ship. Kitai is almost defeated and lays on the ground he hears his father's voice and is able to "go ghost" and kills the Ursa. He sends the signal and help arrives and father and son are reunited and have seemingly developed a greater bond.

Comparing this movie with the real life scenario of Will and Jaden, Kitai is trying to live up to the greatness that was achieved by his father Cypher and trying to prove himself. Kitai more than anything seemed to want to become a ranger but lacked the most important thing, he was a complete coward who miraculously was finally able to listen to what his father had told him to be successful in the end. The message of this movie possibly was having to rely on someone else for your survival and the strength of familial bonds. However, it leaves more to be desired.