One Battle After Another

Granted it's good, and I like most of PTA's films, but it's not like this is anywhere near as brilliant as something like There Will Be Blood or The Master.

The plot is very simple, and while that's not a bad thing, I found it difficult finding anything substantial to grab onto. The performances are certainly good but again it feels like all the actors with the exception of probably Chase Infiniti and maybe Sean Penn aren't given a whole lot to do.

In my opinion this was far less interestingly photographed than something like Phantom Thread, and with less compelling characters than something like The Master, and lacked the spectacle and gravitas of something like There Will Be Blood.

Still better than most films releasing these days, but if you're looking at all the rave reviews like I was and expecting a masterpiece, from my perspective I'd be lowering my expectations.

It gets a 7/10 for being well performed and pretty well written, but I can't go beyond that because it lacked the depth I'd normally be seeking from filmmakers of PTA's caliber.

Luckly, I haven't read a word about this movie before watching it. Came fresh and got what I knew I am going to get - a Paul Thomas Anderson's film, with all the elements that are tied to this director's creations. He is not my favorite director, and I'm pretty divided regarding his filmography.

One thing that I can say about Paul Thomas Anderson is that his movies stick. Makes me think and are almost always enjoyable. Well, not all of them. There are "Inherent Vice" that made me suffer and also "The Master" I didn't like. And yes, Paul Thomas Anderson's films are always long.

This one is also a long one and not necessarily needed to be that long, but it is one of those things I can live with, because this time his movie is absolutely great. It is not great like the movie critics say it is. It's not perfect and sometimes it feels too stuffed with allegories and subjects that Paul Thomas Anderson tried to get inside, but other then all of those...yeah...it's that good.

It is like America's political atmosphere started to use drugs, from both kinds. Downers and uppers. There are two main characters that are performed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn and are representing each one of drugs types. One is pumped and violent and the other is a suspicious stoner, that is sometime very mellow and sometimes paranoic.

Other then that Paul Thomas Anderson talks about America, about treatment to foreigners and especially those who tries to blend in America. He speaks about the fact we all belong to places, culture and personal identity we get from our family and our close (and also not that close) environment.

Everything Paul Thomas Anderson does in this movie is fabulous. Camera work is sensational, the musical score is almost perfect and stressful, and the final car chase scene is one of the best thing I've seen in any movie lately. The best part, off course, will be the actors choices.

What more can we say about Leonardo DiCaprio and his performances? Nothing else. All was already been told. He is perfect. Give him another Oscar. Sean Penn is absolutely terrifying in one of his best performances of latest years. Benicio Del Toro maintained his acting vibe from 'The Phoenician Scheme' and young Chase Infiniti stole everyone's thunder.

This movie gets the jog done. It is interesting, well made and acted and especially very unique, though also very stuffed. I am so happy I managed to enjoy this one without caving into the hype machine around the web. Is stood by itself and made my experience just great and it is another one by PTA that I will remember as one of the better ones.

The film is a bit long, but every minute is rewarded with great action, drama, suspense, and even some good comedy. All the performances are epic, award-winning, as are the camerawork, sound, and music. The story is a little confusing at first, mainly because the main character isn't given much context for why he does many of the things he does and why he has a mission in life. In contrast, the other characters' actions are explained, and their personalities are justified in one way or another. Even so, this isn't a deterrent at all, and other details compensate and help you overcome any initial doubts.

Went to see the movie because of the cast, but the promise, the delivery, and the highly confusing message was disappointing. No coherence anything at all, ended up walking out before the end.

-The movie seems to glorify revolution but "not really" and for no apparent reasons.

Would not recommend.

Feels like the intention was not to be seen as a movie but to be read as a manual.

-Minimum required char. 213- It must be a devastating reality for every creator forced to use popular, well known actors people identify with, or cliche action driven direction in order to have a chance to reach wider audiences.

Makes me wonder for the multitude of talented artists that I maybe never see on screen because we as the audience chase around well known faces.