Reviews

The movie feels as plastic as can be.

It's unfortunate. Kiernan Shipka is fun, as she ages out of the teen angst range. Also the trailer leaned heavy into the impression Randall Park was going to be in the film more. He's not.

Casting feels straight from the CW in 2006. The age/time jumps make NO sense. It really seems like it should have been made 10 years ago.

A similar film apparently was made 8 years ago.

The set design is lazy. It's 80's Club style.

Cinematography, Sound and Editing outside the story are decent. So you can tell that they knew who to hire technically to make something happen.

However the film is an absolute miss.

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.

We don't often get shows like this.

I'd say the casting department did their job well.

Kerry Washington has a good relationship and legacy with ABC, and it's nice that she gets a starring vehicle that lets her feature her comedy skills. I don't know if this will be limited to the 1 series of 8 half hour episodes, but hopefully we'll get more.

The show is Delroy Lindo's show. He's been a working actor for years who is respected in the industry. He's been in several films that are part of culture. Washington is the lead, but this is Lindo's show.

He's playing a man I see on a daily basis in the community I'm in, but not on screen. The character is complex, and you know Lindo has worked him out for us from how he is on screen. A complex character that is approachable.

This show is based on heavy topics. Daddy issues, release from prison, being black in Minnesota, revisiting relationships, the housing market in America, and how technology changes culture.

The overall tone of the show is lite, and at times cartoonish. It IS a sitcom, in 8 half hour segments that goes into those topics. How it is able to do that is the cast. The last few episodes get a bit heavier, but retain most of the positive tone about life.

We know it is based on a true story. Sometimes trauma includes laughs. It is how we live. The supporting cast, is there for the leads. In many ways they provide the drama to the show, and it is a nice mix.

By the supporting cast providing the drama, we get to enjoy watching how the two leads work through their flaws, with humor.

The shortcomings with the show are in someways related to the sitcom nature. Story lines just end. That is how life is sometimes. Problems just resolve themselves because there isn't anything else you can do with it.

I like the show. It will be nice to see more shows like this in production, and I hope the numbers support that decision for Hulu.