Famous for creating “The Matrix” trilogy, the Wachowskis have not been able to churn out a profitable hit since. With box-office bombs like “Speed Racer” and “Cloud Atlas,” these films have been a decline in the sibling’s long career.

Unfortunately, their newest original science fiction film falls into the same category. After being delayed from a release date in July, the film was pushed back to February, a month that is notorious time for bad movies.

“Jupiter Ascending” follows Russian immigrant and cleaning lady Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) as she discovers that she is related to one of the most powerful dynasties in the galaxy and that she has inherited control of the planet Earth.

Various monsters and aliens later hunt Jones sent by her older sibling Balem Abrasax (Eddie Redmayne) while being protected by half -werewolf; half-human, genetically enhanced soldier turned bounty hunter Cain Wise (Channing Tatum).

If the plot sounds ridiculous or confusing, it is because despite the film’s attempts to have an intelligent story, it just comes off as muddled storyline with very little explanation. Fans of the Wachowskis will either defend the film to their dying day or not like it. For everything the film tries to get right, it fails.

The acting is less than stellar even with some of the biggest names in Hollywood plastered all over the posters, not even they can save the film. Kunis’ character barely registers any emotions other than saying “holy crap” every fifteen minutes and makes some of the dumbest decisions a character in her position could possible make. Constantly in peril, falling, or being tricked into painfully obvious mistakes, it is up to Tatum’s character to save Kunis on a regular basis.

Out of all the characters in the film, the saving grace is Tatum, even though he is barely recognizable with his wolf ears and blonde goatee. Alongside Sean Bean, Tatum is one of the few good things about this film.

Eddie Redmayne portrays the main antagonist despite not being in a majority of the film. Redmayne also does the whisper some of his lines and blatantly screams his lungs out with some of his other lines to seem frightening, but it simply comes off as weird, especially with Redmayne’s raspy voice, it makes some of his lines barely comprehensible.

The script clearly needed work as most of the dialogue in the film is funny and more often than not, unintentionally so. Even the comedic parts of the film do not always work and even though the film only runs a little over two hours, there are parts in the film that feel unnecessary and drag on.

Even most of the character motivations come off as confusing since everything is about political gains and time, but in the end, nothing makes much sense and the script certainly does not help decipher any of these issues.

Aside from the acting, the special effects (SFX) are often dazzling especially when the fast paced action kicks in. While the 3D is nothing special, when it comes to seeing Tatum’s character whizzing through the screen on his “gravity boots,” which act like futuristic roller skates without the wheels, as he is chased by flying lizard gargoyle creatures, it is certainly a treat for the eyes.

However, for as good as the SFX are, there are moments in the film when the effects look too cartoonish and fake for their own good and some of the character designs do not look as impressive as others.

The music in the film composed by award winning composer Michael Giacchino also deserves recognition. Giacchino also scored for films like “The Incredibles,” “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” and the rebooted “Star Trek.”

The music in the film is often riveting as it propels the high-octane action sequences and can be favorably compared to the works of John Williams, most famous for the original “Superman” film theme and his work in the “Star Wars” franchise.

Unfortunately, whatever the film manages to get right, does not add up to much and it is clear that film needed more time than it had. It is unclear as to what the future holds for the Wachowski siblings who need a hit now more than ever, but it is clear despite the originality and the $175 million worth of pure intentions that “Jupiter Ascending” is not “The Matrix” or a hit for anyone.