This is what happens when you get extremely creative directors and writers together with super talented actors, and give them a project that allows all of them to make career-defining work. Every single aspect of this film is as close to perfect as I've seen. The images on screen are lush and saturated with color and texture, the camera work is kinetic and puts you right in the middle of all the action, the ensemble cast is fantastic (more below), the stunts are mind-blowing (and hilarious), the story is totally weird and original (and a bit mind-bending, but don't worry it all makes sense in the end), the special effects make you scratch your head and wonder: "how did they do that???"
A quick moment of focus on the acting in "Everything Everywhere...". The role of Evelyn is very difficult as it carries the weight of the entire film, which is told almost entirely from her perspective. She has to go from a tired, end-of-her rope, slightly downtrodden immigrant woman whose hopes have been dashed by harsh reality, to the saviour of not only our universe, but countless others as well, realizing along the way that the little daily events and love of her family, is what will save her. Michelle Yeoh pulls this off masterfully, letting us see in her face (and whole being) the transitions she's undergoing, at great peril to her own sanity. But she in no way does this feat on her own. The talent arrayed around her is so powerful: an almost unrecognizable Jamie Lee Curtis portrays her nemesis IRS agent; Ke Hui Kwan (known from Indiana Jones and The Goonies) in his first major film role in over 20 years portrays Evelyn's husband Waymond, at once both the ass-kicking protagonist and tender beating heart of the family; the radiant Stephanie Hsu plays Joy, Evelyn's daughter and unexpected antagonist. Even the minor parts (James Hong, Tallie Medel,and. Jenny Slate) are fleshed-out and contribute greatly to the film.
The result, is a film that feels holistic, that presses all the buttons. It's by turns hilarious, balls-to-the-wall exciting, devastatingly sad, and ultimately life-affirming and uplifting. One of the best films I've seen in the last 10 years.
A quick moment of focus on the acting in "Everything Everywhere...". The role of Evelyn is very difficult as it carries the weight of the entire film, which is told almost entirely from her perspective. She has to go from a tired, end-of-her rope, slightly downtrodden immigrant woman whose hopes have been dashed by harsh reality, to the saviour of not only our universe, but countless others as well, realizing along the way that the little daily events and love of her family, is what will save her. Michelle Yeoh pulls this off masterfully, letting us see in her face (and whole being) the transitions she's undergoing, at great peril to her own sanity. But she in no way does this feat on her own. The talent arrayed around her is so powerful: an almost unrecognizable Jamie Lee Curtis portrays her nemesis IRS agent; Ke Hui Kwan (known from Indiana Jones and The Goonies) in his first major film role in over 20 years portrays Evelyn's husband Waymond, at once both the ass-kicking protagonist and tender beating heart of the family; the radiant Stephanie Hsu plays Joy, Evelyn's daughter and unexpected antagonist. Even the minor parts (James Hong, Tallie Medel,and. Jenny Slate) are fleshed-out and contribute greatly to the film.
The result, is a film that feels holistic, that presses all the buttons. It's by turns hilarious, balls-to-the-wall exciting, devastatingly sad, and ultimately life-affirming and uplifting. One of the best films I've seen in the last 10 years.
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