February 2, 2016

By Tiffany Skelnik

The 5th Wave is a film based on the first book of The 5th Wave series by Rick Yancey. The film follows the story of Cassie, a young girl who is on a desperate search to find her younger brother after beings known as the Others began wiping out humanity. To accomplish this the Others use waves, four of which have already happened as the film opens. The film is an action-packed journey from start to finish. It manages to take the concept of invasion and turn it into something not only unique but also frightening. The performances of the cast are a big part of what makes The 5th Wave such an enjoyable experience.  

            Chloe Grace Moretz, who plays Cassie, does a fantastic job. In her performance you can see the concern Cassie has for her brother and the desperation that plagues her actions, even as she fights to keep her humanity intact in the hostile environment. In every scene, Moretz shows another aspect of Cassie’s character that keeps the audience rooting for her. Her performance leaves the audience on the edge of their seats.

Another standout performance in the film comes from Alex Roe who plays Evan Walker, the man who helps Cassie on her journey. He gives a performance that leaves the audience unsure about his character, adding an element of suspense. The viewer can never be sure of what he’s thinking.

Liev Schreiber plays the memorable and chilling Colonel Vosch. He fills his character with something extra that makes every scene that he is in a puzzle to be solved. Nick Robinson as Ben Parish, also known as Zombie, plays his role with the same desperation as Moretz. The audience finds themselves often working at the same frantic pace as Robinson’s character to figure out what exactly is going on. The scenes with Schreiber and Robinson are some of the most suspenseful. The performances are complemented by the amazing special effects, which help succeed in bringing the desolate landscape and the brutal destruction of each wave to life.

The 5th Wave was an amazing film that is filled with nonstop action, intriguing characters and a story that will keep you thinking and guessing throughout. I highly recommend it.

skeltiff@my.dom.edu