Film critique: the darkest mind

"The Darkest Minds" is a 2018 science fiction film directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and based on the novel of the same
name by Alexandra Bracken. The film was produced by 20th Century Fox and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures.
The story revolves aboth the children that have been struck by a mysterious illness that has killed the majority of them.
The surviving children develop special abilities, causing the government to fear them and force them into internment
camps. Ruby, the protagonist, is a teenage girl who is one of the survivors of the mysterious illness. She is taken to one
of the camps, where she discovers that her powers are highly sought after by the government. She is a rare "orange" and
has the ability to control other people's minds.

The Darkest Minds is a compelling and entertaining film that effectively combines elements of science fiction, action, and
drama. One of the film's strengths is its well-developed and relatable characters. The main character, Ruby, is a complex
and sympathetic protagonist, whose struggles with her powers and her place in the world are effectively portrayed by
Amandla Stenberg's strong performance.

In terms of its visual style the film's overall color grading is relatively unremarkable, with a muted and desaturated
palette that reflects the bleakness of the world that the characters inhabit. However, this also means that the film lacks
any distinctive visual style or flair that could have helped it stand out. In terms of its use of lighting to convey mood and
tone, The Darkest Minds is mostly functional but unremarkable. The film does occasionally use shadows and low light to
create a sense of tension and danger, particularly in scenes set in the internment camps. However, this technique is not
used consistently or to its full potential throughout the film.

In terms of angles and shots, The Darkest Minds relies heavily on standard techniques and fails to provide any
particularly innovative or memorable visuals. The film predominantly uses medium shots and close-ups to frame the
characters, which allows for a focus on their emotional expressions and interactions. However, this style can also make
the film feel claustrophobic and limiting in terms of visual variety. The use of wide shots and establishing shots is
infrequent and doesn't provide enough context for the audience to fully appreciate the scale of the world that the film is
set in. Additionally, the film's action sequences are largely forgettable, with little creativity in terms of framing or camera
movement.

The film also effectively uses diegetic sound to convey the powers of the various characters. For example, the sound of
static and interference is used to convey the telepathic powers of Ruby and other characters, while the sound of
electricity is used to convey the electrokinetic powers of another character. In terms of dialogue and vocal
performances, the film is generally solid. Amandla Stenberg delivers a strong performance as Ruby, effectively conveying
her character's emotions and internal conflict. The supporting cast is also generally solid, although some of the
secondary characters feel underdeveloped and lack distinct personalities.

One of the most prominent editing techniques used in "The Darkest Mind" is the use of fast-paced, quick cuts. This
technique is used to create a sense of urgency and tension during action sequences and to heighten the emotional
impact of key moments. For example, during a scene where the protagonist, Ruby, and her friends are escaping from a
government facility, the use of fast cuts helps to convey the frenzied and chaotic nature of their escape.

Overall, The Darkest Minds is a well-crafted and thought-provoking film that offers a fresh take on the sci-fi genre. The
film's well-developed characters, engaging visuals, and strong themes make it a standout entry in the genre, and a must-
see for fans of science fiction and action films.