Plot
Four waves of increasingly deadly alien attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother.
Release Year: 2016
Rating: 5.7/10 (2,576 voted)
Critic's Score: 39/100
Director: J Blakeson
Stars: Chloë Grace Moretz, Matthew Zuk, Gabriela Lopez
Storyline
Four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth in ruin. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the inevitable and lethal fifth wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final hope - if she can only trust him.
Writers: Susannah Grant, Akiva Goldsman
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz -
Cassie Sullivan
Matthew Zuk -
Wounded Man with Crucifix
Gabriela Lopez -
Lizbeth
Bailey Anne Borders -
Julia
Nick Robinson -
Ben Parish /
Zombie
Ron Livingston -
Oliver Sullivan
Maggie Siff -
Lisa Sullivan
Zackary Arthur -
Sam Sullivan
Dave Maldonado -
Soccer Coach
Paul Ryden -
TV News Anchor
E. Roger Mitchell -
White House Spokesman
Charmin Lee -
Ms. Paulson
Parker Wierling -
Jeremy
Madison Staines -
Teary School Kid
Tony Revolori -
Dumbo
Trivia:
A Sony leaked email revealed that Mark Ruffalo, Joel Edgerton, Kyle Chandler, Jason Clarke and Liev Schreiber were considered for the role of Bob. The part went to Michael Beasley. See more »
Quotes:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 3/10
Survival besieged by sentimentality in an end-of-world scenario seems
to be the driving theme in an ever increasing list of young adult
films. Joining that list, rather late in the race, is The 5th Wave – a
pointless save the world mishmash that feels like the retarded
offspring between Independence Day and Red Dawn, but without any
redeeming qualities from the parents.
Going from normal high schooler to gun-toting survivalist, Chloe Grace
Moretz's Cassie Sullivan is both the heroine and narrator of this alien
invasion for the new generation. The onslaught of the invasion, as
explained by Cassie, is unleashed in a series of attacks beginning with
power outage (Wave 1), natural disasters (Wave 2), fatal epidemics
(Wave 3), followed by parasitic possession of humans as hosts (Wave 4).
The first three waves are narrated in short flashbacks, thankfully, as
the special effects employed are modest, and that's putting it
politely. This leaves us, and Cassie, trying to figure out who's really
who, before we arrive at the film's haphazardly written twist reserved
as the titular Wave 5.
Part of that twist involves a group of child soldiers led by the
capable Maika Monroe from last year's sleeper hit It Follows. Monroe's
role is an interesting inclusion considering her forthcoming appearance
in this year's tent pole offering of the Independence Day sequel.
Written as polar opposites, Monroe and Moretz are tasked with
shouldering the story from different perspectives. While both deliver,
it is the latter's character who reminds us that this is nothing more
than a YA film. Cassie's involvement with Evan, an Edward Cullen like
mystery figure, not only adds to the overall corniness, their romantic
interlude weighs down the story when it is already trying to stay
afloat. But even this, although expected in a YA film, is put to use in
the most cringe-worthy way possible. You'll know it when you see it.
With The Hunger Games laid to rest, and both Maze Runner and Divergent
series following suit, all The 5th Wave manages to do is bring left
overs to the table in an already crowed pound party. Low key and
already lacking in originality, shoddy writing further adds to
incoherence and chaos. If that's not bad enough, spoon feeding the
narrative dissolves what little mystery there is, resulting in a
telegraphed ending. This becomes even more disappointing with the
inclusion of seasoned actors like Liev Schreiber and Maria Bello whose
only role is authoritative figures. But even they can't save a film as
absurd as the idea that only kids can save humanity from total
annihilation. By the numbers? It sure is, and as thrilling as hearing
someone count from one to five.
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