Awake movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE:    AWAKE           (not to be confused with the 2019 movie Awake )

This dramatic thriller is now available on Netflix.

RATING:   R

LENGTH:      1 hour 36 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

After a devastating and mysterious global event wipes out all electronics and eliminates people’s ability to sleep, a former soldier with a troubled past may have found a solution with her daughter.  The film is written and directed by Mark Raso with some writing help by Gregory Poirier and based on the story by Gregory Poirier.

I practically become a zombie if I don’t get enough sleep, so I can’t even imagine trying to go several days without sleep like the characters in this movie do. It’s an interesting premise for an apocalyptic drama.  Unfortunately, the audience reviews have been terrible.  I didn’t think it was that bad but I also readily admit it’s not going to win any awards.

THINGS I LIKED:

• I’ve been a fan of Gina Rodriguez ever since I first saw her in Jane the Virgin: Season 1.  Since then, she has pumped out quite a few action movies, so she is well prepared to provide the tension and heft to this apocalyptic drama.  I love how fiercely protective she is with her children.  One of the characters tells her teenage son, “Your mom’s hardcore!”  I love how she actually starts looking more and more sleepy as the movie progresses.
• Ariana Greenblatt is so adorable and one of the busiest young actresses in Hollywood today.  In fact, The Hollywood Reporter put her on their “One to Watch” list in 2019.  I loved her in Paramount Picture’s Love And Monsters movie.  Such a fun movie!  She’s also in the movie IN THE HEIGHTS which just hit the Big Screen last weekend and is a fun musical.
• You might recognize Shamier Anderson from the recently premiered Netflix thriller STOWAWAY.
• The idea of people not being able to sleep was interesting.
• The car crash scene was super realistic and scary!
• We’re told in the trailer that the consequences of not getting enough sleep are 1) disorientation, 2) hallucinations, and 3) hysteria.  We see all three of those represented throughout the film.  What’s interesting is that things are seen from the perspective of the characters, but as they begin to move through those 3 consequences, we wonder if what we’re seeing is really happening or if we’re seeing what they’re hallucinating, like driving past the naked people on the side of the road.
• Some of the visuals and camera angles are pretty creative.
• I felt the tension and the sense of urgency.
• There are some interesting action sequences.
• If you have trouble sleeping, a friend of mine invented an Alexa Skill that can help you with that called Guided Sleep 
• In case you haven’t already discovered my Alexa Skill, it’s called Daily Inspirational Quote with Trina Boice.  Subscribe!  It’s free and also available on a bunch of podcast platforms!

 Emergency Preparedness Tips You Need To Know:

• Have an emergency supply of cash on hand.
• Learn how to do basic First Aid on yourself and others
• Get a bicycle
• Get a paper map

By the way, I created an online course all about Emergency Preparedness!  You can save 50% off when you use promo code HALFOFF at www.LifelongLearningEducation.com

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• I’m always annoyed by Hollywood’s understanding of Christians.  They’re always portrayed as complete wackadoos. I really hate that.  At one point, one of the Christian ladies who realizes Hannah is special says, “Let’s sacrifice her.”   Sheesh.
• Some of the musical score is heavy-handed.
• I didn’t even recognize Jennifer Jason Leigh!  I haven’t seen her in a long time.
• The ending is interesting, although I’ve heard some people say they hated it and felt frustrated by it.
• Act 1 is intriguing, but then Act 2 and Act 3 are kind of more of the same without adding anything new or unique.
• We don’t really get any information about why Noah doesn’t like his mother, other than he’s a typical teenager frustrated by his mom’s imperfections.  She had drug problems and needed help, but he just couldn’t forgive her.
• Some viewers who don’t like the film complain that the “event” is never explained, but it actually is: a solar flare that is similar to an EMP that knocks out the electronics, as well as messes with people’s brains.
• We don’t get a lot of character development or background on the characters.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:    

• Some people buy and sell drugs.
• Bloody murder
• Profanity, including F-bombs
• You see dead, bloodied bodies
• Violence
• Kids talk about “doing it”
• You see a bunch of naked people standing around
• A guy flips “the bird”
• You see a monkey’s head open with its brains

THEMES:

• Mental acuity
• Sleep
• Wellness
• Emergency Preparedness
• Hope
• Life
• Family
• Loyalty
• Courage
• Tenacity

FUNNY LINES:

• None.  It’s a very serious drama.

INTERESTING LINES:

• “There’s no such thing as unconscious people anymore.   They’re either on or they’re off.” – guy at the lab
• “Maybe we are meant to be awake cause you need to be woke to see how the world really is.” – Pastor  (Barry Pepper)
• “This is not who we are.” – Pastor   (Barry Pepper)

Movie Review Mom GRADE:  C

OTHER MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

               

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