In recent times, we've seen various adaptations of illustrated novels struggling to accurately portray the essence of their source material on the big screen. This trend continues with the latest adaptation, "The Electric State" by Simon Stålenhag. Despite the novel's gripping and thought-provoking premise about a sister's search for her missing brother in a techno-dystopian world, the film adaptation veers towards being a hodgepodge of ideas derived from better films.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo, along with writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, have not quite managed to translate the richness of Stålenhag's characters and world into their film. For a team that has previously gifted fans remarkable adaptations in the Captain America and Avengers series, this mediocre translation is puzzling. The intertwined themes of technology, corporate corruption, and familial bond fail to convey the intended levels of emotion and spark.
The story revolves around a teenager, Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), and her journey to find her missing brother in a post-third World War world, in which humans rely on a virtual reality device, the Neurocaster, and robots. The plot thickens when Michelle believes her brother may still be alive, leading her on a perilous cross-country journey to Seattle, evading ruthless forces hired by Sentre, the company behind Neurocaster.
The film misses the opportunity to capitalize on the efficiency of storytelling present in the book. Rather, it leans heavily on overused exposition methods that fail to deliver the depth of the characters and the world. Intended to be humorous moments fall flat, and the villains of the piece lack compelling motivations, making them somewhat hollow figures.
Regrettably, the film downplays the novel's exploration of the darker implications of technology and human-robot conflict. Also, Michelle's aversion to Neurocasters is never shared, making her eventual use of one feel rather empty compared to the poignant depiction in the book.
The depiction of the '90s retro-futuristic setting doesn’t quite pool in the fun element, and the darker, cyberpunk aesthetic of the novel is traded for a brighter, family-friendly vibe. However, the integration of visual effects and production design does provide some redemption to the film, specifically in the climactic battle sequence.
Despite there being no strict rules instructing films to adhere exactly to their original books, this adaptation of "The Electric State" has diluted the source material's essence, leaving a film that lacks the depth, haunting ambience, and satisfaction that Stålenhag’s original creation provided.
