At some point in the last decade, cinema collectively decided that more is more. More movement, more colour, more genres crammed into one film. This movie epitomises that philosophy: pure, unfiltered chaos masquerading as profundity. It's action, comedy, sci-fi, family drama, absurdist theatre, and a philosophy lecture, all happening at once. And yet, somehow, it still manages to feel empty.
There's no denying the technical ambition. The editing is frenetic, the cinematography playful, the performances fully committed. Michelle Yeoh is brilliant, and Ke Huy Quan's sincerity provides the emotional backbone. The sheer number of visual gags, rapid-cut fight sequences, and surreal concepts is impressive on paper. But the question is, does it all add up to something meaningful?
The film touches existential themes- nihilism, generational trauma, the overwhelming weight of infinite possibilities. But it never truly settles, because settling is not in its nature. Instead, it constantly shifts gears, throwing another absurd joke, another action sequence, another universe into the mix. The emotional beats are there, but they fight for space in a film that refuses to slow down.
And that's where it stumbles. There's a point where maximalism becomes a distraction rather than a tool. The over-reliance on absurdity starts to feel less like a creative choice and more like an avoidance tactic, style suffocating substance. The visual effects, while inventive, often look cheap. The action, initially exhilarating, overstays its welcome. The sentimentality, while heartfelt, struggles to resonate when surrounded by hot dog fingers and googly eyes.
Then there's the Oscars. Seven wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, and three acting awards. A historic sweep for a film that, for all its originality, still feels like an unconventional choice for such conventional recognition. Will it be remembered as a defining film of the decade, or as a momentary fascination? Hard to say. I can respect its meaning, I just found it difficult to get through without getting bored. Also not as emotional as it was painted out to be! 5.8/10.
