Mortal Engines Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Brexit allegory where London eats other cities to survive, but ultimately fails to understand that maybe, just maybe, cooperation is a better strategy.

🍿 Mortal Engines: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The World of Municipal Darwinism

Set centuries after a cataclysmic event called the Sixty Minute War, the world of Mortal Engines operates under a principle called ‘Municipal Darwinism.’ This means that cities have become mobile, gigantic machines that roam the earth, preying on smaller settlements to scavenge resources and absorb populations. London is one such ‘predator city,’ constantly on the move and consuming others in its wake. The film establishes this brutal, hierarchical society where survival depends on power and mobility.

Hester Shaw’s Quest for Revenge

Hester Shaw, a young woman scarred both physically and emotionally, seeks revenge against Thaddeus Valentine, a powerful figure in London. Hester believes Valentine murdered her mother and stole a valuable piece of Old-Tech (relics from the pre-war world). Her determination and lethal skills make her a formidable force, but her past is shrouded in mystery. Hester’s confrontation with Valentine sets off a chain of events that pulls Tom Natsworthy, an apprentice historian, into her orbit.

Tom Natsworthy’s Unexpected Alliance

Tom Natsworthy, a naive but well-meaning historian, inadvertently becomes involved in Hester’s quest for vengeance. After intervening in her assassination attempt on Valentine, Tom is cast out of London alongside Hester. Forced to survive in the treacherous Outlands, Tom learns the truth about Valentine’s nefarious plans and the destructive power of Old-Tech. He forms an unlikely alliance with Hester, challenging his previous beliefs about London’s dominance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar): A scarred and vengeful young woman seeking to stop Thaddeus Valentine and avenge her mother’s murder.
• Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan): An apprentice historian from London who becomes an unlikely ally to Hester and a key player in preventing Valentine’s destructive plans.
• Thaddeus Valentine (Hugo Weaving): The ambitious and ruthless Head of the Guild of Historians in London, determined to use Old-Tech to conquer new territories.
• Anna Fang (Jihae): A skilled pilot and leader within the Anti-Traction League, fighting to protect static settlements from predator cities.
• Shrike (Stephen Lang): A reanimated cyborg known as a ‘Stalker’ with a paternal connection to Hester, torn between his programming and his affection for her.
• Katherine Valentine (Leila George): Valentine’s daughter, who begins to question her father’s motives and ultimately joins the resistance.
• Magnus Crome (Patrick Malahide): The Lord Mayor of London who is ultimately betrayed by Valentine.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Shrike: “I can remake you, just as I was remade.” – Shrike offers to transform Hester into a Stalker like himself, providing her with a means to survive and become powerful.
• Thaddeus Valentine: “We will bring London to the new world!” – Valentine declares his ambition to conquer new territories after London breaches the Shield Wall.
• Anna Fang: “Sometimes, the only choice is to fight.” – Anna Fang says this to Tom and Hester when explaining the necessity of rebelling against London and its destructive ways.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $15,951,040
• Worldwide Gross: $83,869,818

💥 Mortal Engines Reviews

Personal Review

I had such high hopes for Mortal Engines! The concept of mobile cities is just so cool. The first chase scene with London devouring the smaller town was amazing. I wanted to love it more, but the plot felt a bit rushed. Shrike’s character was definitely a highlight, especially his connection with Hester. Overall, it’s a visually stunning movie that I enjoyed, but I don’t think it’s one I’ll watch over and over again. I feel like the script was a bad adaptation from the book, the source material should have been treated with more respect.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of steampunk and dystopian worlds”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-packed adventures”
  • “Those interested in stories of revenge and rebellion”
  • “Audiences who appreciate visually stunning effects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and action sequences”
  • “Some disturbing imagery”
  • “Themes of death and revenge”
  • “Mature themes relating to societal collapse”

Professional Reviews

• Slash Film: “Ambitious and visually stunning, but lacks a compelling narrative. The world-building is impressive, however, the story feels rushed, and the characters fail to leave a lasting impact. The movie is entertaining, and there are memorable scenes, but overall, it struggles to find its footing.
• One Mann’s Movies: “Visually impressive with stunning special effects and inventive production design. However, the dialogue is clunky, and the story borrows heavily from other sci-fi films, lacking originality. Hera Hilmar stands out, but the rest of the cast is unremarkable. Worth watching for the visuals, but be prepared for a messy and derivative plot.

Audience Reactions

The visual effects and the concept of moving cities were amazing.: Most viewers were impressed with the visual spectacle but disappointed with the predictable plot and lack of character depth.

Overall Consensus: Visually stunning but lacking in depth, Mortal Engines struggles with a derivative plot and underdeveloped characters, leaving audiences entertained but ultimately unfulfilled.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Peter Jackson originally acquired the rights to adapt ‘Mortal Engines’ in 2009 but prioritized ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy first.”
• “The filmmakers created a fully operational miniature model of London to help visualize the scale of the moving city.”
• “The design of the moving cities was inspired by a mix of Victorian architecture, steampunk aesthetics, and World War II-era machinery.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mortal Engines?

Mortal Engines is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, where it may be available for rent or purchase. It is also generally accessible through services like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu, either for rental or digital purchase. Check your local listings for current availability as options may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mortal Engines, you might like these similar films:

• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015): Both feature post-apocalyptic worlds with vehicular combat and a strong female lead fighting against a tyrannical ruler.
• Waterworld (1995): Features a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce, and people are fighting for survival in a unique environmental setting.
• Howl’s Moving Castle (2004): Shares the concept of a moving, fantastical structure and explores themes of war and finding one’s place in a chaotic world.
• Dune (2021): Features a conflict over resources, strong world-building, and a chosen one narrative in a dystopian future.

🛒 Mortal Engines Related Products

• Mortal Engines: A Quartet: Complete Mortal Engines book series collection. The original book series that inspired the movie. Contains all four books in the Mortal Engines Quartet.
• Mortal Engines: Hester Shaw Limited Edition Figurine: A detailed, hand-painted figurine of Hester Shaw, complete with her signature scar and weaponry. A premium collectible for serious fans. The Figurine captures all the details of the iconic movie character
• Mortal Engines: London Mobile City Model Kit: Detailed model kit to build your own London traction city. Showcases the intricate design and steampunk aesthetics of the movie. High-quality materials, easy-to-follow instructions, and a display base.
• Mortal Engines Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster. The poster is printed on archival-quality paper to ensure that the colors stay true for years to come. Frame it to showcase the movie’s epic scale and design.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mortal Engines features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “This is the End” – performed by Tom Holkenborg
• “Medusa” – performed by Tom Holkenborg

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

This Movie Lost $100 Million | Let Me Explain Mortal Engines

Curious about why Mortal Engines bombed at the box office? This video digs into the reasons behind its commercial failure, offering a fresh perspective on the movie’s fate.

Honest Trailers – Mortal Engines

Get ready for a hilarious roasting of Mortal Engines! This Honest Trailer takes aim at the movie’s flaws, delivering a side-splitting take on its epic adventure.

Everything Wrong With Mortal Engines In 13 Minutes Or Less

Calling all movie nitpickers! This CinemaSins video tackles Mortal Engines, exposing its plot holes and inconsistencies in a witty and entertaining way.

Mortal Engines — The Curse of Size | Anatomy Of A Failure

Dive into a thought-provoking analysis of Mortal Engines! This video compares it to Lord of the Rings, exploring the pitfalls and lessons learned in crafting epic fantasy franchises.

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