There’s been some spectacular sci-fi blockbuster trailers in the past few days. Star Trek Into Darkness and Oblivion stand out as sci-fi flag bearers for 2013. M. Night Shyamalan aims to compete with the crew of the Enterprise or the Tom Cruise juggernaut with his new future-set epic, entitled After Earth.

After a couple of horrific recent outings, Shyamalan is looking to get his career back on track. Aiding him in his quest is the powerhouse father and son team of Will and Jaden Smith. Jaden will once again show us once he’s leading man material by playing Kiati, the son of a decorated General (Will Smith), who must journey across a hostile, post-human Earth in order to save himself and his father after their ship crash lands before they can head back to Nova Prime – humankind’s home for the past millenium.

Why were humans forced to leave Earth some 1,000 years ago? We’re not sure yet; although it looks like the wildlife may have turned on us. Another film with an environmental message from M. Night? Please don’t let this be another The Happening.

http://youtu.be/zaN0HV_N6UA

Oblivion meets Avatar meets The Road? There’s nothing particularly new here. But the trailer does make for a reasonably entertaining watch and there’s plenty of scope for adventure – although this looks much lighter fare than 2013’s other sci-fi offerings. The opening scene in the trailer is certainly a stand-out moment.

The special effects lack a bit of polish but it’s the script that’s the most important thing, and scenes late in the trailer suggest there may be more to this simple story than meets the eye. I’m keen to see if that’s expanded on in future promo.

Will Smith’s role will no doubt be small. In fact, we’ve probably seen most of it. However, it’s nice to see him passing the leading man torch to his son. Like he did in The Karate Kid, I’m sure Jaden will do a good job here.

Shyamalan, however, is very Jeykll and Hyde – more recently Hyde. Will the good Doctor show up this time?

Thoughts?

1,000 years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape from Earth, Nova Prime is mankind’s new home. General Cypher Raige (Will Smith) returns from an extended tour of duty to his estranged family, ready to be a father to his 13-year-old son, Kitai (Jaden Smith). When an asteroid storm damages Cypher and Kitai’s craft, they crash-land on a now dangerous Earth. As his father lies dying in the cockpit, Kitai must trek across the planet to recover their rescue beacon.

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, After Earth stars Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Isabelle Fuhrman, Zoe Kravitz, Kristopher Hivju, David Denman, Sacha Dahwan, Lincoln Lewis, and Jaden Martin.

No New Zealand release date yet but Australia is due to get this on 6 June 2013, so I expect we will see it then too.