Review of Cosmic Sin (2021)

Cosmic Sin is a 2021 sci-fi action film directed by Edward Drake, starring Bruce Willis, Frank Grillo, and a supporting cast that includes actors like Luke Wilson and Lochlyn Munro. Despite boasting a star-studded lineup, the film fails to live up to its potential, offering a chaotic, uninspired story that’s more about spectacle than substance.

Plot:

Set in the distant future, Cosmic Sin tells the story of a group of rogue soldiers who are sent on a mission to prevent an alien invasion of Earth. The premise revolves around humanity’s attempt to preemptively strike an alien species after they make first contact with humans. What follows is a series of action sequences as our heroes race against time to stop the alien threat.

While the premise has potential for thrilling, action-packed space exploration, the narrative quickly falls apart. The film throws viewers into a war against an alien race but never fully develops the stakes, characters, or the world it’s set in. The script is overly simplistic, lacking depth in both character development and storytelling.

Performances:

Bruce Willis, in his usual grizzled, no-nonsense role, is one of the few highlights of the movie. However, his performance feels almost phoned in, as he seems disconnected from the lackluster material he’s working with. Frank Grillo, typically a solid action star, also struggles to make an impact, with a character that’s more archetype than fully realized.

Action & Visuals:

Cosmic Sin features a number of action scenes, including gunfights, space battles, and close-quarters combat. Unfortunately, these moments feel recycled from other, better films and lack the intensity needed to make them memorable. The visual effects are low-budget, and while some of the alien designs are somewhat interesting, they don’t quite make up for the lackluster cinematography and set design.

Script & Direction:

Edward Drake’s direction leaves much to be desired. The film often feels rushed, with too many action sequences crammed into a short runtime. The dialogue is clunky, and the characters are paper-thin, which makes it hard for viewers to get emotionally invested in the outcome.

The script attempts to balance its sci-fi concepts with action, but it struggles to create a cohesive, engaging plot. The pacing is uneven, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others feel too rushed. There’s a lot of potential in the premise, but the execution is ultimately disappointing.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, Cosmic Sin is a film that fails to live up to its genre’s potential. While it has moments of fun and action, the lack of a compelling story, weak character development, and a poorly executed script make it difficult to recommend. Bruce Willis fans may find it mildly entertaining, but for sci-fi and action movie enthusiasts, there are far better options out there.

Rating: 2/5 – A missed opportunity in the sci-fi genre, Cosmic Sin is an underwhelming experience that leaves much to be desired in both its action and storytelling.