Weapons
This review contains spoilers
- The structure: I didn't really need the cop or the druggie chapters, because while I know it furthers the theme of alcoholism, it doesn't need to be furthered. The cop specifically was implemented fine within Justine's chapter. It's just an example of if you're looking for the commentary, it makes sense, but I think it's unnecessary for that andand the plot itself.
- I think Cregger's a bit overrated. I'm happy to see a comedy guy branch out into horror and find success, and I think he's worth watching, because at the very least he has interesting premise and makes entertaining movies. Just doesn't deserve the massive amounts of praise heaped upon him.
- With that said, he's a completely competent, even sometimes inspired, filmmaker. Excellent shots here, using the emptiness of the neighbourhoods at night really effectively, for example. I don't have a problem at all with the performances or how he frames every single shot. I know "elevated horror" gets a bad reputation, but I like some, and I think directorial he deserves to be in the conversation. He's not Aster level for this, but he's damn good. Very talented man.
- But Weapons also has an identity crisis. I've seen people say it's funny, but is it? There's some weirdness to how the characters act, but jokes? I mean, not really. Even the weirdness is just kinda like, "Oh that's odd," but I didn't laugh. I suppose if it's supposed to be a horror comedy, it fails, and I should rate it lower. But I do think it works well as a mystery/thriller, and less so as a horror. But that's fine. My main problem is just that this means that the ending isn't earned at all. I get what kids running after the aunt to kill her means. I suppose some people cheer for that, and I'm glad she got her comeuppance. But Weapons never at all put me in the mindset to accept this drastic shift.
- Take a movie like Malignant for example. There's a drastic shift in that too. Completely different genre. And I celebrated that.
- I think Cregger's a bit overrated. I'm happy to see a comedy guy branch out into horror and find success, and I think he's worth watching, because at the very least he has interesting premise and makes entertaining movies. Just doesn't deserve the massive amounts of praise heaped upon him.
- With that said, he's a completely competent, even sometimes inspired, filmmaker. Excellent shots here, using the emptiness of the neighbourhoods at night really effectively, for example. I don't have a problem at all with the performances or how he frames every single shot. I know "elevated horror" gets a bad reputation, but I like some, and I think directorial he deserves to be in the conversation. He's not Aster level for this, but he's damn good. Very talented man.
- But Weapons also has an identity crisis. I've seen people say it's funny, but is it? There's some weirdness to how the characters act, but jokes? I mean, not really. Even the weirdness is just kinda like, "Oh that's odd," but I didn't laugh. I suppose if it's supposed to be a horror comedy, it fails, and I should rate it lower. But I do think it works well as a mystery/thriller, and less so as a horror. But that's fine. My main problem is just that this means that the ending isn't earned at all. I get what kids running after the aunt to kill her means. I suppose some people cheer for that, and I'm glad she got her comeuppance. But Weapons never at all put me in the mindset to accept this drastic shift.
- Take a movie like Malignant for example. There's a drastic shift in that too. Completely different genre. And I celebrated that.
Mini Review: There are things I love: way it's shot, premise, intrigue early on, Julia Garner and Josh Brolin. The chapter structure hurt it because Garner's Justine was the most interesting arc. I would have taken switching between Brolin and Garner's arcs, but the rest are unnecessary. So while I understand what Cregger's getting at with the symbolism, narrative it's uneven. Didn't like the ending. While it has a creepy atmosphere and a few scary payoffs, I don't think it works that well as a horror.