Mortal Engines (2018)
Mortal Engines is a visually ambitious post-apocalyptic adventure that dares to imagine a world where entire cities roam the Earth on wheels, consuming smaller towns for resources. Directed by Christian Rivers and based on the novel by Philip Reeve, the film offers a unique blend of steampunk aesthetics, high-stakes rebellion, and a tale of revenge set in a war-torn future.
The story follows Hester Shaw, a mysterious and scarred young woman with a burning desire to kill Thaddeus Valentine, the powerful figure who destroyed her family. Her attempt sets off a chain of events that entangles her with Tom Natsworthy, a historian from London who is thrust out of his familiar world and into the resistance fighting against the mobile cities.
From the opening scene, the scale is massive. London, mounted on enormous wheels, charges across the plains in pursuit of a helpless mining town, devouring it in an awe-inspiring sequence. The world-building is bold and imaginative, blending old-world relics like statues and iPhones with futuristic weapons and flying warships.
Hera Hilmar delivers a determined and emotional performance as Hester, while Robert Sheehan brings charm and curiosity to Tom. Hugo Weaving plays Valentine with a cold, calculated menace, representing the dark side of progress and ambition. The undead assassin Shrike, with his haunting presence and tragic backstory, adds depth and emotional weight.
Though the film's narrative stumbles at times with pacing and exposition, Mortal Engines remains a feast for the eyes. It’s a story about survival, identity, and standing up against the monstrous engines of oppression—both literal and symbolic. A flawed but fascinating journey through a world where the past is worshipped, and the future is always on the run.
