They Cloned Tyrone

This Blaxploitation sci-fi comedy is clearly among the more fun, inventive films that Netflix has decided to pick up. The grainy visual texture, the funky costumes and hairdos, the energetic soundtrack, and much of the film's aesthetics are carefully designed to remind us of some of the finest entries in the Blaxploitation subgenre. The setting could be somewhere in or around 2008, as we still see picture-tube TVs, CDs being sold, mentions of Obama, and Blockchain being the future (LOL!). The absence of smartphones is also a notable aspect. Yet, even with the aesthetics already standing out and a pretty exciting (and potentially scary) sci-fi plot on the cards, it's the lead trio's performances and fun camaraderie that holds it together.

The revelations keep coming, but it's the banter between Boyega's Fontaine, Teyonah Parris' Yo-Yo, and Jamie Foxx's Slick Charles that keeps you entertained and invested in their fates. After the first hour, there were moments in the screenplay where it could've all looked and sounded artificial. However, director Juel Taylor keeps the conspiracy theories coming, complemented by wonderful production design work and sustained focus on the protagonist's journey. The finale (++the eventual antagonist reveal) is somewhat tepid when compared to the rest of the film, and it may also seem 10-15 minutes too long for the story it has to say, though I'll definitely recommend They Cloned Tyrone if you're an enjoyer of absurdist humour.

Lovers of Jordan Peele's off-centre take on Black cinema should like co-writer (with Tony Rettenmaeir) / director Juel Taylor's comic-thriller "They Cloned Tyrone". Hard-ass drug dealer John Boyega, flamboyant pimp Jamie Foxx & sassy ho Teyonah Parris (terrific) discover a sinister plot (led by Kiefer Sutherland... or is it?) to experiment on & control all the folk in their run-down 'hood... and they fight back against it. Initially darkly stylish it soon becomes too silly, before deeper undertones emerge. Taylor's ambition can't be faulted, but he may have bitten off a little more than the average audience can chew on here. He is however, clearly one to watch out for.

No one could accuse Netflix's latest high profile original offering They Cloned Tyrone of being a film short of ideas with up and coming director Juel Taylor jamming his genre mash-up with a plethora of elements worth exploring as John Boyega's drug dealer Fontaine, Jamie Foxx's sharp talking local pimp Slick Charles and Teyonah Parri's call girl Yo-Yo team up to uncover some Scooby Doo like mysteries that are affecting their fictional neighbourhood known as the Glen.

Set in a 70's feeling futuristic setting done by the way of a classic exploitation flick from yesteryear, Tyrone has swagger to spare and Taylor's energetic and colourful direction is the type of creative vibrancy that is too often lacking in Netflix's other original offerings that leave much too be desired but despite fun being had from such an out there narrative that flirts the line between drama, thriller, sci-fi, social commentary piece and oddball comedy, Tyrone lacks a certain ingredient that could've made it an instant classic.

Sprung to life by three noteworthy lead performances, with Boyega once more proving he is a lot more than a force sensitive storm trooper, Tyrone seemingly has all the usual elements one would associate with a feature film of note but there's a curious inability for Taylor to connect us in a meaningful way to our central trio and while it feels counter-intuitive to accuse a feature of having too many original ideas, Tyrone's many various components and narrative turns don't always hit the way in which you would hope for, even if it's a constantly sleek and impressively constructed film in so many ways.

One of those modern features that one suspects may have benefited from being fleshed out in a mini-series rather than a two hour feature film, Tyrone is constantly on the move and never far away from taking us down a surprisingly unexpected route and with that it will alienate a large chunk of viewers who will feel as though they are being flung from plot development to plot development with little time or pause between breaths to ponder what has come before or what is now ahead.

Problematic and under-explored narrative developments aside, Tyrone still provides a fresh and often very fun viewing experience, one that will have even the most seasoned of film fans unsure of what's coming their way next and its ability to bring its wild vision to life in such a vibrant way should be commended, making this one of those rare Netflix originals that justifies ones time spent with it.

Final Say -

A future cult classic in waiting, They Cloned Tyrone might not always work but thanks to impressive craft work and trio of energetic performances, Netflix's latest original release remains a lot of fun.

3 1/2 church sermons out of 5.

Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)

I live in Montgomery Alabama and usually we don't get nothing here. But our local theatre had They Cloned Tyrone for the weekend, and I'm glad I got to see it in a theatre with an audience.

I'm excited for this new director, Juel Taylor, and want to see more. We are entering a time where anyone can do what Tarantino did. Thanks to streaming there are so many films that if you want to see them, they're there. The film has got so many references. The script is funny. Filled with references for all. Be it comparing someone to the bad guy on Spongebob, to the carpet from the Overlook Hotel. There were several Kubrick references all throughout the film. I'm sure there were some I missed as well.

Additionally, I'm pretty sure the clones in how they were held was a reference to "V". Really the set design, was solid. You could tell the budget was well spent. Lighting and cinematography helped to pull it together.

I like John Boyega. He's a good lead. Having seen him in this, as well as Attack the Block this past weekend, we see this tough guy. But I think one of the reasons he's in demand is because he is also vulnerable. The scenes where he's partnered with a child playing with juice boxes, it's nice to see a tough guy that way.

Jamie Foxx. I wish that guy the best. He's flashy and comedic. He steps aside for Boyega to be the lead because he's smart, and knows that his role has the best lines.

The stand-out, who we're going to want to see more from is Teyonah Parris. She does not play a victim despite being called a "Ho" multiple times in the movie. She's both smart and adorable at the same time. When they're hiding out in her childhood room, again the set design and script give space to the character and she runs with it.

The film is fun. The film is science fiction.

IF you are a Kubrick fan you'll enjoy it on that level. If you like movies where people get to be goofy, you'll enjoy it on that level..

There are some parts with the drama, and conspiracy where it was hard to switch hats. Because there is some plot that is dropped in there to tie it all together. So if there is something missing it is some of that evenness of story development.

HOWEVER I get it. The visuals are strong, and if I was a director wanting to bring a comedy in on time that's what I'd probably slip on as well, as it is a fun film over-all.

The film reminded me of The Killing and I'm looking forward to more from Taylor.

I'm glad the new technology is there and we got new directors who reflect that. Give them space.

I just read a review about people who give this film anything but a 1 either being family members etc etc. Quite the tirade.

With a third of their review concentrating on a child slurping a drink. That's their review.

This one is mine.

Look. This is quite a different output than your usual.

It is very much influenced by blaxploitation (and at the end that is the point) films and the modern revisionism of someone like Jordan Peale.

A completely off the wall plot that mixes multiple genres into one.

John Boyega is such a good actor. He really, really is.

With multiple roles, he manages them well.

Jamie Foxx adds silliness and humour to proceedings.

This isn't an Oscar winner. Nor is it garbage. It is just different.

I was engaged throughout the film.

To give you in a nutshell what to expect think Groundhog Day meets Invasion of the body snatchers, meets Nancy Drew meets Shaft meets Get Out meets Boyz n The Hood.

It's just a crazy mix which on the whole, IMHO, works.

And as to the title....it'll all make sense by the end.

And it lends itself to a sequel (which likely it will get).