Elevation (2024) Review: Why Anthony Mackie’s Latest Monster Flick Falls Flat

Key Takeaways:

1. Elevation attempts to blend suspense with a monster-filled post-apocalyptic world but relies too heavily on clichés and uninspired design.
2. Anthony Mackie’s performance as Will offers the film’s only consistent strength, yet it’s overshadowed by underdeveloped characters and lacklustre story arcs.
3. The film’s interesting premise of high-altitude sanctuary from monsters ultimately falls short due to excessive exposition and poor execution.

Another Attempt at Post-Apocalyptic Horror

With its release in 2024, Elevation enters the crowded world of monster-driven, post-apocalyptic thrillers. Directed by George Nolfi, known for The Adjustment Bureau and The Banker, the movie casts Anthony Mackie as Will, a father struggling to protect his ailing son from ravenous, towering monsters that have driven humanity to seek refuge above 8,000 feet. Co-starring Morena Baccarin, who takes on the role of Nina, a scientist searching for solutions, the film promises a suspenseful journey. However, while Elevation offers a fresh setting high-altitude refugee camps nestled in the Rocky Mountains the movie struggles to make an impact, instead feeling like a patchwork of better films that fail to reach the same heights.

Plot Summary: A Struggle Against the Monsters and Time

The film opens three years after a catastrophic event where monsters erupted from the ground, decimating the human population but curiously leaving wildlife untouched. These creatures, impervious to regular weaponry, pose an ongoing threat to any humans below 8,000 feet above sea level. Thus, isolated camps emerge in mountainous regions, where the monsters’ altitude limit provides a semblance of safety.

Will, portrayed by Anthony Mackie, is a single father living in one such camp with his young son Hunter, who suffers from a severe lung condition requiring regular medical care. The thin mountain air complicates Hunter’s condition, and his breathing equipment’s filters are quickly depleting. This forces Will to make a perilous decision to venture below the elevation threshold into Boulder to obtain more supplies, risking his life in the monster-infested city.

Joining Will on this dangerous mission are Nina (Baccarin), who harbours hope for a scientific solution to combat the creatures, and Katie (Maddie Hasson), a blunt, no-nonsense survivor. Together, they navigate the ruined city in a desperate attempt to survive both the monsters and the looming threat of losing one of their own.

A Weak Link in the Chain of Post-Apocalyptic Thrillers

Since the success of A Quiet Place, many filmmakers have tried to replicate its blend of suspense, minimalistic storytelling, and genuine stakes. Unfortunately, Elevation leans on familiar tropes but lacks the heart and creativity needed to distinguish it from the crowd. The primary issue lies in the predictability of the plot viewers can easily foresee which characters will survive and which will become monster fodder.

The high-altitude premise initially sparks interest, but the logic behind the creatures’ altitude limit remains unconvincing. Multiple scenes feature characters narrowly escaping by crossing the invisible 8,000-foot line, with monsters obediently turning back. While the filmmakers could have leveraged the mystery around this phenomenon, Elevation instead bogs down in unnecessary exposition, leaving little to the imagination.

Lack of Chemistry: A Missed Opportunity Between Mackie and Baccarin

Anthony Mackie, already recognized for his role as the new Captain America, brings a palpable intensity to his role as Will, a father driven by love for his son. Yet, his character is given little depth beyond this devotion. Will’s interactions with Nina are meant to provide contrast, but there’s a noticeable lack of chemistry between the two leads. Nina’s role as the “scientist with the answers” feels more like a plot device than a fully developed character. With minimal backstory until a forced reveal in the third act, she fails to become more than a stock character.

Katie’s character, though played with commitment by Maddie Hasson, feels equally superficial, serving mainly to add tension among the trio. Unlike other films in this genre that thrive on deep relationships, Elevation lacks meaningful connections, making it hard for viewers to feel invested in the characters’ fates.

Monster Design and Visual Effects: No Real Frights Here

While the success of a monster movie often hinges on the quality and fear factor of its creatures, Elevation falls short. The monsters in A Quiet Place are terrifying partly because they remain hidden until the climactic moments, enhancing the suspense. In Elevation, the creatures are quickly shown in their entirety, diminishing any sense of mystery. The monster design is uninspired, evoking comparisons to discarded CGI prototypes from other films rather than leaving a lasting impression.

Moreover, while the Colorado setting offers breathtaking visuals, including mountainous vistas and even a suspenseful ski-lift sequence, inconsistent CGI detracts from the atmosphere. In scenes like the ski lift, the green screen effects are jarringly noticeable, pulling viewers out of the action.

Wasted Potential and Unnecessary R Rating

In what may be the film’s most baffling choice, Elevation carries an R rating despite being largely bloodless. Outside of some mild language, the film contains little explicit content to justify this decision, a choice that may limit its audience without adding value. The narrative could easily have been kept within PG-13 constraints, likely broadening its appeal without compromising the story.

Why Elevation Ultimately Falls Short

Elevation attempts to touch on themes of survival, familial love, and humanity’s resilience. However, these themes are largely lost in a disjointed plot that sacrifices depth for hasty exposition. The high-stakes setup of a father risking it all for his son’s survival has potential but is weakened by poor pacing and uninspired character development. It’s easy to imagine that Elevation might have worked better as a limited series, allowing the plot points to unfold naturally rather than being rushed through in under 90 minutes.

Though some initial setup hints at an intriguing twist, the final reveal lacks impact and only serves as yet another exposition dump. Even the anticipated final confrontation with the monsters falls flat, as the rules governing the creatures’ behavior never undergo meaningful exploration or change.

Conclusion: Not Worth the Elevation

For fans of Anthony Mackie or those looking for a simple monster flick, Elevation might serve as a casual viewing experience. However, anyone hoping for a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic horror genre or a monster movie with real bite will likely come away disappointed. While the film is competently made and visually pleasing in parts, it’s ultimately forgettable. Viewers looking for true suspense or character-driven drama will find far better options in other movies.

In the end, Elevation is a serviceable thriller that fails to rise above a mountain of clichés and missed opportunities.

FAQs

1. Is Elevation worth watching? If you enjoy simple post-apocalyptic thrillers and are a fan of Anthony Mackie, Elevation might be worth a casual watch. However, it falls short of offering anything groundbreaking in the genre.

2. How does Elevation compare to A Quiet Place? Elevation attempts to replicate the suspense and unique world-building of A Quiet Place, but its lackluster monster design, excessive exposition, and weak character connections make it a far less memorable experience.

3. Why is Elevation rated R? Elevation received an R rating mostly for language, although it doesn’t contain much explicit content. Many viewers feel this rating was unnecessary and likely limited its audience reach.

4. Do the monsters in Elevation have a unique design? Not particularly. While the monsters are initially intriguing, they quickly become unimpressive, and their design lacks the originality seen in other iconic movie creatures.

5. Is there a twist at the end of Elevation? The film includes a reveal in the final moments regarding the origin of the monsters, but it lacks the impact expected of a major twist and feels more like additional exposition than a shocking revelation.