Author: Martyn

In Everything Everywhere All at Once, the filmmakers masterfully embrace the absurdity of life to explore deep philosophical concepts such as family dynamics and existential crises. The film follows the journey of Evelyn, a launderette owner struggling to break free from her father’s disapproving gaze and her own patriarchal hang-ups. As she discovers the existence of a multiverse with millions of versions of herself, she navigates through her complicated relationships with her daughter, husband, and the IRS agent who’s auditing her.

Stephanie Hsu delivers an exceptional performance that stands out against a cast of familiar faces. However, it is Michelle Yeoh’s portrayal of several intriguing interpretations of her character that draws on her storied cinematic career and brings depth and nuance to the role. Yeoh is undoubtedly a strong contender for the Best Actress Oscar, making her character’s journey even more compelling to watch.

Ke Huy Quan’s return to the big screen after many years away is marked by a heartfelt and authentic portrayal of Evelyn’s doting husband. Although he may be out-acted by his female counterparts, Quan’s performance showcases his talent and adds to the film’s overall quality. The addition of Jamie Lee Curtis adds a much-needed dose of humor to the absurdity of the plot.

While the film blends several genres to uncover universal truths, it does rely heavily on sensationalism to cover up plot inefficiencies. Despite this, Everything Everywhere All at Once offers a unique and entertaining experience that challenges viewers to embrace the absurdity of life, the universe and everything.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s rarely a good sign, when the press screening for a film is the day before its release. So I attended the screening for this with very low expectations and those expectations were met.

“Morbius” is a very lacklustre and anti-climactic addition to the Sony Marvel universe. Jared Leto stars as Dr. Michael Morbius, a famed blood disease specialist who becomes a superhuman with vampiric abilities after his work goes awry.

Unfortunately, “Morbius” fails to elevate the originality of its comic book inspiration and instead relies on formulaic storytelling and forgettable characters. The lack of atmosphere and striking resonance robs the film of its ability to captivate and engage its audience. Despite the film’s special effects, they do little to salvage it from its poor craftsmanship and dull storytelling.

The one bright spot is Matt Smith’s portrayal of Morbius’s lifelong friend, Milo. Smith seems to be having an absolute blast in the role, injecting a much-needed dose of energy and charisma into the otherwise lackluster proceedings. Despite the script’s shortcomings, Smith’s performance is a testament to his talent as an actor and his ability to inject life into even the most underwritten of characters. While this may not be the vehicle that propels Smith to Hollywood stardom, his presence is certainly a welcome one in an otherwise forgettable film.

An amusing aspect is the film’s attempt to pass off London tube stations as New York City subways. Despite the best efforts of the production design team, the tube stations are unmistakably British. It is a reminder that no matter how big the budget or talented the crew, some details are just too difficult to fake convincingly.

The post-credit scenes add another layer of confusion around the Spider-Man anti-hero, leaving audiences with more questions than answers. It is a shame that even with ample time to rework its flaws, “Morbius” struggles to manifest its quality. As such, Sony Pictures has succeeded only in draining life from this vampire film, leaving it a forgettable addition to the Marvel Studios canon.

⭐⭐