Don’t Look Up

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⭐ 7.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

I saw that this movie was getting poor reviews, but was fascinated by the cast, and I have enjoyed other movies by Adam McKay. While I can confirm that this movie isn't amazing, it was a bit better than I thought it would be.

First off, this movie is the furthest thing from a feel good movie I can imagine. It's clearly about global warming, but the world response can't help but remind you of covid, people choosing to ignore science, and in this case just not looking up and remaining ignorant of impending doom.

If that's not buzzkill enough, this movie attempts to be a comedy, but the satire falls completely flat. Jokes aren't really funny if they are just reality, but even with this movie being so close to reality I think there is probably a way they could have pulled it off that actually had me laugh. I feel this way because Chalamet makes a hilarious appearance, and I was laughing at everything his character did. Maybe it was having a Trump character, and a Musk/Bezos character, that felt too on the nose for me to laugh at.

I was fascinated the whole time that this movie stars Jennifer Lawrence and Leo, 2 people who rarely make movies, and when they do they are events. They must feel passionately about the climate crisis, and they both get the oscar-reel monologues, but they are unlikeable characters who can't save a movie like this. A bold choice of a movie for them to both come out for. Speaking of save, it was never clear what they were trying to accomplish, and that might be another reason the story falls flat. With covid, or global warming, the experts have recommendations for us, offer hope. Here they are scientists trying to spread the truth about what is going to happen, but the truth is so grim with no solution. I would believe more people would choose ignorance in that scenario than the shocking number that have chosen the same today.

I did like the first hour or so of the movie, as they make their discovery and slowly realize how hard it will be to spread the truth. Scientist Leo battling internet trolls in forums by quoting the scientific method was painful and spot on. My favourite parts were the ones where you see the world reaction to news or events, where the screen is filled with reactive tweets and tik-toks and youtube videos. Those parts managed to feel realistic but still funny, not sure why.

In a movie filled with stars, the MVP goes to Chalamet. He who controls the spice controls the universe.

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