Set three years after a world-altering event, Elevation is the story of humans surviving in a new position on the food chain. They're safe if they stay over 8000 feet, but some supplies are required. In fact, Will (Anthony Mackie) knows that he must explore beyond the safety zone in order to get a filter for oxygen filters that are necessary for the health and life of his young son, Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr.). Will convinces Nina (Morena Baccarin) to join him on his journey. Nina is a scientist who has spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to destroy the seemingly-indestructible predators that turned their world upside-down, and she was on a previous expedition that involved the death of Will's wife, Tara. Joining this duo is Katie, a good friend who refuses to let Will head off on such a dangerous mission with only Nina alongside him. And so begins an illogical distraction that should at least keep most viewers mildly distracted for 92 minutes.
There are some ways in which I cannot help but think of Elevation as something truly terrible. Unless we're supposed to be able to figure out all of the science for ourselves, there isn't enough information given for a couple of key points. One major detail, the reason for the safety zone of 8000 feet, is so ridiculous that even one main character asks about it at one point and is answered with a simple "I don't know". It feels as if this wants to be another A Quiet Place, or at least something very similar, but that film had enough excellent moments to help you overlook the plot holes and implausibilities. This does not. What it has is a couple of very watchable cast members in main roles.
Mackie is always very good onscreen, and I'm always happy to see him make the most of any opportunities that allow him to sneak out from under the looming shadow of his Marvel employer, but he really needs to start making some better choices. A quick look at his filmography over the last five years doesn't paint a very pretty picture. I could say something similar about Morena Baccarin, but she has a knack for picking projects that at least feel a bit more eclectic, even if they're not actually very good. As the third wheel, Hasson does well alongside the two bigger names, even if she's only there to help give viewers someone else to be placed in peril as and when some more tension is required.
I've seen at least one other film directed by George Nolfi (that was The Adjustment Bureau way back when), and I've seen a few films written by John Glenn, but nothing, as far as I'm aware, from his co-writers, Jacob Roman and Kenny Ryan. That seems about right, considering how this feels strangely competent and slick, but also quite amateurish at times. It's a film made by throwing together elements that have worked better in many other films, but there's no real attempt made to then make it all a bit better. Pardon the pun, nobody seems to elevate the material.
That's the thing though. This is perfectly okay. If you have nothing better to hand. It's very standard content, and it feels like very standard content. I would have just preferred to have it feel like an actual movie though. Because movies are more than just content.
5/10
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