‘Unknown Origins’: Cool Concept, Poor Execution
Unknown Origins promises a cool spin on superheroes and serial killers, but ultimately delivers cheap comedy.

From the first minute to the last, from surreal, incongruous scenes to indigenous funeral ceremonies, from fish ponds to ruins, from women to men, from a telephone to a tortoise shell, from fortune-telling to Taoist salvation rites, from color to black and white, from Ma'nene to Family Constellations, from animals to being animalized, from sorrow to tranquility … Every image performs a death, releasing a vast vitality.
Unknown Origins promises a cool spin on superheroes and serial killers, but ultimately delivers cheap comedy.
Halle's belting, crystal clear notes, and warm tone infused something into this blockbuster that I thoroughly enjoy.
A refreshing twist is that all the kids’ powers are…kind of useless. There’s a kid who can only move in slow motion, a kid who has every power in the world but can only use them randomly, and our main character Missy who has no powers at all. The thesis of the film seems to be that it doesn’t matter what kind of powers you have, its the way you use them, which is good for the warm and fuzzies.
While the film didn’t hit me as emotionally as I wanted it to, I still enjoyed it. I simply wish there was a little more, particularly with the world building.
The character of Mulan is one of Disney’s best heroines. She’s brave, kicks butt, and has a kill count. What other Disney character has killed hundreds of Huns by crushing them with an avalanche? No one.
While Peter’s heroics might have been a bit unrealistic at times due to his lack of experience, I will always support the civilian taking down the establishment.