“Jupiter Ascending” is the latest film from the Wachowskis, the dynamic sibling duo who brought us the “Matrix” trilogy and the criminally underrated “Cloud Atlas.” “Jupiter Ascending” is not nearly in the same league as those films, but it might be passable enough to become a guilty pleasure in the future. Or not.
It stars Mila Kunis as Jupiter Jones, a maid living in Chicago who lives a mundane existence until she discovers that her parents were alien royalty. Channing Tatum costars as Caine Wise, a space warrior determined to get Jones back to her home planet so she can reclaim her rightful destiny. Sean Bean plays Stinger, another warrior who is eager to make sure that Jupiter gets home to become queen of her planet, but his motives are ambiguous at times. Does he want to help Jones ascend or descend?
Once Jones reaches her planet, she encounters a series of alien creatures that look like the offspring of something from the mind of Steven Spielberg or George Lucas. Too bad they’re only semi-memorable and not very original.
Speaking of original, “Jupiter Ascending” certainly is that in terms of its overall visual style. The Wachowskis have created some gorgeous images that you either can laugh at or shake your head. Maybe both.
The movie is original in its look, but its plot borrows heavily from the likes of “The Matrix,” “Star Wars,” “The Wizard of Oz” and a host of other sci-fi and fantasy classics.
“Jupiter Ascending” does have another advantage in that it’s a film that you have never seen before — and, in all likelihood, probably never will see again. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Grade: C+
Rated PG-13 for some violence, sequences of sci-fi action, some suggestive content and partial nudity.

Hall is a syndicated columnist in South Georgia.