ALIENS versus humans. Check. Controversy bigger than our planet. Check. A half-human-half-something-else hero saving the damsel-in-distress. Check. The Wachowskis’ Jupiter Ascending is their attempt to return to the glory days of The Matrix but despite a good plot and tight sci-fi script, they fall short of expectations.

The film tells us that Earth is one of the many planets that are used by the royal family for harvest; hence the people of the planet are very small fish in the bigger pond — except for Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) who is of royal blood but in true Cinderella style, doesn’t know it. In comes her Prince charming Caine (Channing Tatum) who saves her from certain death and keeps her safe with the help of friends like Stinger (Sean Bean) who loves to address the girl as “Your Majesty”. Together, they go against the Royals led by Balem (Eddie Redmayne), Kalique (Tuppence Middleton) Titus (Douglas Booth) who have their hidden agenda in dealing with Jupiter separately.

Yes, the special effects are impressive but when you have Interstellar, Guardians of Galaxy and Gravity releasing in a space of 18 months, you find Jupiter Ascending quite descending. The story is interesting but not something you would watch again unlike The Matrix, which remains one of the best Sci-Fi films ever made. The mid-air action sequences remind you of Superman movies and even the Marvel films but instead of exceeding them, all this film does is rival them which isn’t what one expected from the makers of The Matrix. I didn’t!

For young fans, the shoes that Channing Tatum wears — the ones that help him fly — remain the biggest draw of the movie. For Mila Kunis enthusiasts, her presence is enough since the film revolves around her although all she does is look pretty and scared.

It seems Jupiter Ascending has been made in the mould of Star Trek franchise (even borrowing the music composer) but once you are out of the cinema, you forget about it unlike Star Trek which still remains etched into our memories.