Z FOR ZACHARIAH (2015)

10/1/2015 - Z for Zachariah (2015)  - 5+/10

It almost gets a 6 because of the sharply filmed beautiful vistas, the lack of necessity to explain everything and spell out all the character subtleties (or does it?), because it is gripping and Zobel continues as the emotional & societal provocateur, edging us on the difficulties of human relationships and how poor we can be to each other.

It only garners it's average 5 for being slight, rushing along drama and plot, when time and development was needed. The pace undercuts believable moments and identification. Nothing can breathe or flow organically and the climax comes too abruptly before we are able to squeeze enough out of the scenes to quench our thirst. Also, the pseudo-remake-ification of The World, The Flesh, and The Devil, in this vehicle, soured me slightly. Not to say it isn't worth revisiting and examination, this just felt forced (not in the book) and untapped if you are going to go there.

Robbie was good. Ejifor was solid. Pine didn't offer a lot from being given so very little.
Overall, a decent apocalypse feature, that has many elements that could have been truly great. Regrettably, it cannot reach the lofty heights of our hope or desire. Zobel's last effort "Compliance", perhaps not as enjoyable to watch, will be felt and remembered long after this "could have been" fades. Fine, but only so.