Attention Star Wars fans! Those of you who have an affinity for the Skywalker adventures in a galaxy far, far away finally have a gateway into the minds of people who just think the George Lucas-created franchise is a bunch of sci-fi gobbledygook and flashy but soulless special effects. Because, without a doubt, Jupiter Ascending must be what they see when they look at The Empire Strikes Back.

The Wachowskis burst onto the scene in the mid-1990s with the taut crime thriller Bound, and after making names for themselves with the ground-breaking visuals and philosophy-laced sci-fi adventure of The Matrix. However, that film’s sequels received mixed (at best) reactions from audiences and critics alike, and subsequent releases like Speed Racer and Cloud Atlas massively under-performed at the box office, despite each developing their own cult followings.

Prior to its release, Jupiter Ascending was discussed in the media as the film that could decide whether the Wachowskis would be able to reclaim the promise they demonstrated in earlier films and once again prove themselves a viable commodity to Warner Bros., the studio that has backed nearly all their films. After all, despite their flaws, each of their projects has an inherent ambition that is rarely seen in major Hollywood films (most notably with the criminally underrated Cloud Atlas). Sadly, Jupiter Ascending isn’t only a disappointment; it’s by far the poorest film the Wachowskis have directed.

The film centers on young maid Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), who soon discovers that she is perhaps the most important person on Earth. Caught up in a power struggle that holds the planet’s fate in the balance, Jupiter is accompanied by warrior Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), who must protect her from the three otherworldly siblings who are after her.

Ridiculous names aside, the core premise of Jupiter Ascending carries with it the signature Wachowski promise. The film features a number of big thematic elements, including humanity’s small role in the vast tapestry of intergalactic life. However, the film – like The Matrix sequels – attempts to take its core mythology too far afield, introducing undeveloped aspects like human/animal genetic hybrids (Jupiter apparently really loves dogs) and a convoluted backstory that stretches suspension of disbelief to the breaking point.

Moreover, Kunis and Tatum – who have demonstrated genuine charisma in other films – are completely devoid of presence throughout, failing to ground the world around them even on an emotional level. The pairing lacks any chemistry, despite the fact that a romantic subplot aims to be a significant narrative thrust of the film’s dramatic tension. Instead, the film’s acting highlight (if you can call it that) is an downright embarrassing performance by Eddie Redmayne. The actor has been consistently terrific in everything, especially his mesmerizing turn as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, but here his bizarre villainous role is merely indicative of all the ways this film goes wrong.

Jupiter Ascending does feature a few exciting action sequences (one chase scene is particularly fun), but the meandering, overly convoluted plot and bland characters surrounding them keep this space opera firmly planted on Earth. Perhaps the film could have worked if it had either committed to taking itself seriously or served as a clearer parody of just how silly these films can be. As is, Jupiter Ascending ends up coming across as just another Star Wars hopeful and firm proof that the Wachowskis need redemption now more than ever.

Rating: 1 out of 5

Jupiter Ascending stars Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne, Douglas Booth, Tuppence Middleton and Sean Bean. It is directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski and is now in theaters.