The Plot
As I delved into my viewing Occupation: Rainfall, I was unaware it was a sequel. It was not until my post-viewing research that I discovered it was a 2020 follow-up to Occupation, a low-budget Australian effort that became a surprise hit on Netflix two years earlier.
I had no difficulties following the plot despite lack of knowledge of the film which preceded it, a testament to the talent of writer/director Luke Sparke. Sparke managed to put forth an engaging narrative which continued with what was presented in the original Occupation without burdening or boring the audience with continual, pace hindering recaps.
On paper, the film’s storyline might sound underwhelming to some. Two years after an alien invasion on Earth, a group of Australian survivors fight in a grueling war. The phrase “Same old, same old” immediately sprung to mind when I first read the synopsis of the movie. Nonetheless, what I wound up watching not only surprised me, it also left me smiling and wanting for more.
Old School Action
Occupation: Rainfall’s strongest point is its action scenes. These days in science fiction cinema pure, unadulterated action takes a backseat to the presentation of a story either shocks the audience or conveys a political or societal message. While there are bits of social commentary sprinkled throughout the story, emphasis is placed on taking the audience on a rollercoaster ride of thrills and it is done so through CGI sequences and scenes that, quite honestly, put a lot of the recent bigger budget sci fi flicks to shame.
The Cast
The cast is rounded out by a lot of likable, fresh faces, the most appealing being Jet Tranter, who plays Amelia. Previously seen in the TV series Tidelands and Sisters, Tranter gives the audience a strong heroine to root for.
The only aspect that made me shake my head was the one established actor thrown into the mix – Ken Jeong’s character, Bud Miller. Perhaps this stems from Jeong’s oversaturated presence on television. At the time of writing this review, Jeong is linked to the now international Masked Singer reality franchise and is a frequent guest on talk shows and panel comedy series.
He is clearly meant to be comic relief to cleanse the audience’s pallet between explosions and fight scenes and viewers who have not really seen him elsewhere might find him to be funny. However, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing and Jeong’s participation produced more exasperation than entertainment for me as a viewer.
Is It Worth Your Time?
Without a shadow of a doubt, Occupation: Rainfall should be on your viewing queue if you’re a fan of science fiction and/or action movies. It’s a fun popcorn movie and a breath of fresh air away from the heavy-handed, message-laden science fiction that has been hitting the theaters in recent times.
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