Extended cut:
Din Diesel stars as Toorop, a mercenary working in the war-ravaged region of what was once the former republics of the Soviet Union. He’s eking out a living as best he can, foraging among the markets for food and roughing up a merchant who sold him a defective gun. But his less than idyllic existence is interrupted by the arrival of a squad of heavily armed goons. They’ve been sent by Gorsky, a local warlord who has a job for Toorop; deliver a girl to New York City in six days for half a million dollars. The girl, named Aurora (Melanie Thierry), lives a sheltered life in a convert with Sister Rebeka (the always good Michelle Yeoh), a nun of the Noelite Order, who raised Aurora since she was delivered to them as a baby.
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Sister Rebeka accompanies Toorop and Aurora on their arduous journey from central Asia to the United States--which is easier said than done, since the U.S., which has been untouched by the catastrophe that was inflicted on Russia, has beefed up its boarders along the Alaskan wilderness with armed, automated drones. Charlotte Rampling also stars as the creepy, highly ambitious leader of the Noelite religious sect, who wants to use Aurora for her own ends. Rampling has a great screen presence as the villain, without chewing up the scenery. She and her group are among the most fascinating aspects of the film.
If only they were given more screen time and allowed to be fleshed out some more.
The theatrical cut of Babylon A.D. is a lean, mean 90 minutes--and that’s part
of the problem. There had been reports of studio interference, and the
theatrical cut--with its focus on mindless action and lack of any
characterization--only proves these stories to be true. Thankfully, the DVD has an extended
version of the film that plays much better. Little character moments--such as
Toorop giving the remnants of his meal to a boy in the hallway of his
building--are restored, making this version of the film much more satisfying.
However, even in the improved form that the extended cut offers, Babylon A.D. is
still a flawed film. In both versions, the ending is very abrupt--we’re left
hanging, with unanswered questions, and I can’t help but wonder if the
filmmakers had expected to make a sequel (which is not likely, thanks to the
poor reception this film got at the box office). But the movie offers a grim,
dark view of a possible future--in a world where religion is literally run like
a business--that’s still fascinating to watch. And Diesel, Yeoh and Thierry are
all very good and extremely sympathetic. Just make sure that, if you decide to
go on this journey, to watch the extended cut for a more thoughtful and enjoyable ride.
--SF
