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Set in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth has been ravaged by a catastrophic event known as the Sixty Minute War, Mortal Engines presents a world where colossal mobile cities roam the wastelands, consuming smaller settlements in a brutal survival system called “Municipal Darwinism.” London, the most fearsome of these mobile behemoths, seeks to dominate the fragmented remnants of humanity through ruthless conquest and technological supremacy.

Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar), a fierce and mysterious young woman with a scarred face and a burning desire for vengeance, finds herself on a collision course with Thaddeus Valentine (Hugo Weaving), London’s influential and tyrannical leader. Hester blames Valentine for the murder of her mother and vows to take him down at all costs. Her path intertwines with Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan), a naive apprentice historian from London who is thrust into the wasteland after questioning Valentine’s motives.

Together, Hester and Tom navigate a dangerous landscape filled with scavengers, airborne pirates led by the formidable Anna Fang (Jihae), and a relentless undead cyborg named Shrike (Stephen Lang), who shares a tragic history with Hester. As they uncover Valentine’s dark secret—a superweapon capable of obliterating entire cities—they must rally unlikely allies to prevent him from unleashing further destruction upon the world.

Visually stunning and richly detailed, the film brings Philip Reeve’s dystopian vision to life with breathtaking CGI and imaginative set design. The massive traction cities, particularly London, are meticulously rendered, creating a steampunk-inspired world that feels both fantastical and grounded. Action sequences are dynamic and well-choreographed, blending aerial battles and explosive chases across vast landscapes.

Despite mixed reviews, Mortal Engines was praised for its ambitious world-building, spectacular visuals, and Jihae’s standout performance as the charismatic rebel Anna Fang. However, some critics found the narrative pacing uneven and the character development lacking.

Mortal Engines is a visually ambitious epic that transports audiences to a uniquely imaginative world of moving cities and high-stakes survival. While its narrative may falter at times, the film’s stunning visuals, inventive concept, and themes of resistance and redemption offer a compelling experience for fans of dystopian adventures and steampunk aesthetics.