Rogue Trooper review: Duncan Jones’ best film in decades

Duncan Jones’ latest film, Rogue Trooper, marks a triumphant return to form for the director. Since his acclaimed debut Moon in 2009, Jones' subsequent projects have struggled to match that same level of success, including the forgettable Source Code, the disastrous Warcraft adaptation, and the overblown Blade Runner homage Mute. However, Rogue Trooper proves that Jones is still capable of crafting a compelling and visually stunning science fiction film.

Rogue Trooper is an adaptation of the cult-classic British comic 2000 AD, featuring computer animation reminiscent of video game cut-scenes. The film is set on the toxic planet Nu-Earth, where a war between the Southers and Norts rages on, with genetically enhanced soldiers fighting in a perpetual battle. The protagonist, 19, leads a squad of blue-skinned warriors who are capable of transferring their consciousness to microchips upon death, allowing them to reincarnate countless times.

The majority of the film centers around a lengthy action sequence, showcasing the soldiers' combat prowess against various challenges, such as a tank explosion and a hallucinogenic gas battlefield. The video game-like animation style may initially appear visually off-putting, but the overall production quality remains impressive, with a distinct pulp sci-fi aesthetic.

The film boasts a talented cast of voice actors, including Aneurin Barnard, Matt Berry, and Sean Bean, whose performances bring the characters to life and make them genuinely endearing.

While the second half of the movie delves deeper into the characters' backstories and explores themes of imperialism and the military-industrial complex, it still maintains a traditional hero's journey. Despite this shift in focus, Rogue Trooper remains briskly entertaining, infused with a palpable love for science fiction that is difficult to resist.