After Earth (2013) is a science fiction action film directed by M. Night Shyamalan and stars Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith. The movie is set in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth has become uninhabitable, and humanity has relocated to a new planet, Nova Prime. The film explores themes of survival, fear, and father-son relationships, wrapped in a sci-fi adventure.

Plot Summary:

In the distant future, humanity has abandoned Earth after it became too dangerous to live on. They now reside on Nova Prime, a distant planet. General Cypher Raige (Will Smith) is a legendary warrior in the United Ranger Corps, known for his fearlessness in battling alien creatures called Ursas, which are blind but can sense fear. His son, Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith), is in training to follow in his father’s footsteps but struggles with the weight of living up to his father’s expectations.

Cypher and Kitai embark on a routine mission together, but their spaceship is damaged by an asteroid shower and crashes on Earth, now a wild and hostile planet teeming with evolved species. Cypher is severely injured in the crash, leaving Kitai to venture out on his own to retrieve an emergency beacon from the ship’s tail section, which landed miles away. Along the way, Kitai must face deadly animals, harsh climates, and an escaped Ursa, all while learning to control his fear in order to survive.

Throughout his journey, Kitai grapples with feelings of inadequacy, fear, and the strained relationship with his father. Using the lessons Cypher taught him about fear and survival, Kitai must find his inner strength to save both himself and his father.

Key Themes:

1. Fear and Courage: One of the central themes of After Earth is the concept of mastering fear. Cypher teaches Kitai that fear is an illusion and that only by controlling his fear can he survive the dangerous environment of Earth. The film explores how courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it.
2. Father-Son Relationship: The strained relationship between Cypher and Kitai is another major focus of the film. Kitai feels overshadowed by his father’s legendary status and seeks his approval, while Cypher is emotionally distant and struggles to connect with his son. The story is ultimately about Kitai stepping out of his father’s shadow and proving his worth to both himself and Cypher.
3. Survival: Set in a world where nature has evolved to become extremely hostile, After Earth is a survival story at its core. Kitai must navigate deadly terrain, fend off predators, and battle his own insecurities in order to succeed. The film emphasizes the importance of resilience, resourcefulness, and mental strength in the face of overwhelming odds.
4. Responsibility and Growth: Kitai’s journey on Earth is a rite of passage where he must transition from a dependent boy into a capable and self-reliant young man. As he takes on greater responsibility in the absence of his father’s physical presence, the film charts his emotional and psychological growth.

Characters:

• Will Smith as General Cypher Raige: Cypher is a stoic, battle-hardened leader who has made a career out of being fearless. His ability to suppress fear makes him an ideal soldier but also distances him emotionally from his family. As he is physically incapacitated for most of the film, his role becomes that of a guide, instructing Kitai via a communication link and pushing him to survive.
• Jaden Smith as Kitai Raige: Kitai is a young cadet with a desire to prove himself to his father. Throughout the film, he struggles with fear, self-doubt, and the expectations placed upon him. Jaden Smith’s performance centers on Kitai’s emotional journey from uncertainty to confidence as he learns to face his fears.

Cinematic Highlights:

1. Visual Effects and World-Building: After Earth showcases an Earth that has been abandoned for centuries, with its ecosystems evolving to become more dangerous to humans. The film’s visual effects create a futuristic but hostile environment, filled with lush forests, towering cliffs, and dangerous animals. The futuristic technology, including sleek spacecraft and advanced gear, contrasts with the primal dangers of Earth.
2. Action Sequences: While After Earth isn’t a non-stop action film, it features several tense moments, especially Kitai’s encounters with the various predators on Earth and his final showdown with the Ursa. The action is designed to highlight Kitai’s resourcefulness and the lessons he’s learned from his father.
3. Themes of Fear: One of the standout aspects of the film is its exploration of fear as an emotional and psychological obstacle. Cypher’s famous line, “Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future,” encapsulates the film’s philosophical take on fear, framing it as a challenge that Kitai must overcome in order to survive.

Reception:

After Earth was met with generally negative reviews from critics, with many pointing to its slow pacing, predictable plot, and heavy-handed moral messages. While the film’s visuals and world-building were praised, the performances, particularly Jaden Smith’s, and the screenplay were criticized for lacking depth and emotional engagement. The father-son dynamic, central to the plot, felt forced to many reviewers, and the film struggled to connect with audiences on a broader level.

Despite Will Smith’s star power and the involvement of M. Night Shyamalan as director, After Earth underperformed at the box office, becoming a commercial disappointment for both Smith and Sony Pictures.

Legacy:

Though it did not achieve critical or commercial success, After Earth still holds significance as an attempt at a thoughtful science fiction film centered on family dynamics. The film’s exploration of fear, survival, and the father-son relationship offers a more introspective take on the sci-fi genre, though it may not have resonated with all viewers.

Conclusion:

After Earth had the potential to be an ambitious, character-driven sci-fi story about growth and overcoming fear, but ultimately fell short of its lofty goals due to its execution. However, for fans of the genre or those interested in the Smith family dynamic, it offers a unique, albeit flawed, take on the familiar themes of survival and personal growth in a futuristic, hostile world.