‘Since the moment pictures could move, we had skin in the game...’
In the movie industry, they build ’em up to knock ’em down. The more successful someone is, the louder the sharpening of the knives are for their eventual downfall. While I really don’t want to contribute to this gleeful insistence on destroying something wonderful, on this occasion, Jordan Peele has left me no choice…
Unusually for me, I’m writing this a good three weeks since the credits rolled on Nope. Part of that is that I really didn’t want to trash this movie, but I know that I have to. I also simply could not be bothered to attempt to summarise the plot for this ridiculously convoluted and labyrinthine movie. Basically, Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun mess around in the desert while the impending threat of alien invasion looms.
Let me begin with the positives. This is a gorgeous looking movie. Peele’s use of light and shadow is masterful. This translates to a number of visually compelling shots to rival anything in the equally dull and aimless Dune adaptation. The acting is fine also. Our trio of leads are great across the board with Kaluuya and Palmer particularly impressive, especially in the scenes that the two actors share. The problem is the plot. Pictures and mood and vibe simply isn’t enough. There has to be a story goddamnit, and Nope is a meandering and frustrating experience in that regard.
Get Out was an undoubted horror masterpiece. US was a little more unfocused but ultimately effective. But this movie? This is the definition of diminishing returns. While I applaud its ambition, the whole thing falls apart in the execution. All in all, a pretty lousy movie.