Terra Formars

Terra Formars is a science-fiction action movie released in Japan in 2016, directed by Takashi Miike and based on the manga series of the same name by Yu Sasuga and Kenichi Tachibana. Starring Rinko Kikuchi, Rila Fukushima and Tomohisa Yamashita in main roles, the movie follows a team of astronauts on a mission to Mars to find a way to terraform the red planet and make it habitable for humans.

The story of the movie takes place in the year 2599, where Earth has become overpopulated and polluted, making life difficult for its inhabitants. To solve this problem, the United Nations organized a plan to terraform Mars, with the help of genetically engineered bacteria. The mission was named Annex 1, and its goal is to investigate the current state of the plan and find a way to restart it. However, things don't go as planned, and the team discovers that there are mutated cockroaches on the planet, referred to as Terra Formars. These creatures are the result of the bacteria's evolution, and they pose a great threat to the team.

The main character of the movie is Shokichi Komachi (played by Hideaki Ito), a former soldier who joins the Annex 1 mission. He is accompanied by other members such as Nanao Akita (played by Emi Takei), a scientist who specializes in genetic engineering, and Michelle K. Davis (played by Rinko Kikuchi), a pilot who has a personal vendetta against the Terra Formars. As the team explores Mars, they encounter various dangers, including harsh weather conditions and attacks from the Terra Formars.

The movie successfully showcases the tension between the members of Annex 1, who have contrasting personalities and motives. As the mission progresses, tensions arise, and new alliances are formed, leading to an unpredictable set of events. This adds to the tension of the plot and makes for an engaging and thrilling movie experience.

One of the standout performances in the film is Rinko Kikuchi who plays the role of Michelle K. Davis. Kikuchi's character is a resolute and determined fighter who is focused on defeating the Terra Formars. In bringing her character to life, she puts on a fierce performance, with a physicality that demonstrates her skills in hand-to-hand combat. The film also features Rila Fukushima, who plays the role of Asuka Moriki, a sniper who provides support to the team from a distance.

Terra Formars is a movie with impressive visuals and special effects, the Terra Formars themselves are incredibly designed. The creatures' appearance is undeniably terrifying, with their armored exoskeleton and large mandibles giving them a fierce, insectoid appearance. The battle scenes between the Terra Formars and the Annex 1 team are executed with great precision, showcasing the members' individual fighting styles and tactics.

One of the criticisms that the movie has faced is the lack of character development. While the film offers a few brief moments of backstory for the main characters, they do not delve deep into their personalities or motivations. This makes it challenging for the viewers to get emotionally invested in the characters' fates, as they are relatively one-dimensional.

Overall, Terra Formars is a well-executed science-fiction action movie that will satisfy fans of the manga series and casual moviegoers alike. Its depiction of a world in which humanity looks to colonize and terraform a new planet is both captivating and thought-provoking. The movie's thrilling action sequences and impressive visuals make it an enjoyable watch, even if the lack of character development can be a hindrance at times. Recommended for anyone looking for a thrilling and exciting sci-fi action movie.