A Titanic Disaster in the World of Movies

 

Release date: 22 July 2022 (USA)
Genre: Horror/Science fiction
Director: Jordan Peele
Cinematographer: Hoyte van Hoytema
Budget: $68 million USD
Box office: $172,3 million USD

 

5 MIN Read Time

 

An Anticipated Letdown

Entering the darkened cinema for a screening of “Nope” (2022), I carried with me a sense of anticipation, fueled by the whispers of cinematic greatness that had surrounded the film. Little did I know that this journey would soon unravel into a bewildering, nightmarish descent. “Nope” was not the groundbreaking masterpiece it had been touted as; instead, it proved to be a disorienting and disheartening experience, leaving me to grapple with confusion and question the choices made by its creators.

 

Two-Dimensional Characters in a World Gone Mad

From the very beginning, “Nope” throws you into a convoluted nightmare. The film opens with an eerie scene involving a helium balloon and an abduction, but instead of building tension or intrigue, it only raises questions that are never satisfactorily answered. The film’s director, Jordan Peele, seemed more interested in leaving his audience perplexed than in crafting a coherent narrative.

The characters in “Nope” are as two-dimensional as they come. You’d be hard-pressed to find a single one with depth or relatability. Our protagonist, played by the talented but wasted Daniel Kaluuya, is a forgettable astronaut with zero discernible personality traits. And his sidekick, portrayed by Keke Palmer, serves no purpose other than to be a voice of reason in a world gone mad. Even Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o can’t save this sinking ship, as her character is given little to do besides look concerned.

 

A Plot Lost in the Wilderness of Nonsense

The plot of “Nope” is an exercise in frustration. It meanders aimlessly through a series of disjointed scenes that feel more like a collection of random ideas than a cohesive story. At no point did I feel invested in the events on screen, as the film fails to establish any emotional connection with its audience. Instead of genuine scares or thrills, “Nope” relies on cheap jump scares and grotesque imagery that feels more like shock value than true horror.

 

 

Heavy-Handed Social Commentary that Falls Flat

Speaking of horror, “Nope” attempts to tackle important social issues, but its heavy-handed approach only serves to undermine the message. The film clumsily tries to address themes of racism, environmentalism, and societal decay, but it does so in a way that feels forced and insincere. It’s as if Peele wanted to tick all the boxes of woke filmmaking without actually delving into the complexities of these issues.

 

Logic and Consistency Thrown Out the Window

One of the film’s biggest sins is its complete disregard for logic and consistency. As the plot spirals further into absurdity, it becomes clear that Peele is more interested in baffling the audience than in creating a coherent world. The film introduces bizarre elements like flying cows and mysterious black holes without any explanation or justification. It’s as if Peele is daring the audience to make sense of it all, and I, for one, found myself utterly defeated.

 

 

An Unbearable Pacing That Drags On and On

The pacing of “Nope” is equally abysmal. At a bloated runtime of over two hours, the film drags on endlessly, with scenes that could have been trimmed or removed entirely. There’s a sense of self-indulgence in Peele’s direction, as if he’s so enamored with his own ideas that he’s forgotten the importance of restraint. By the time the film reaches its underwhelming climax, I was not left in suspense but rather in a state of profound boredom.

 

A Shameless Lack of Originality

Perhaps the most egregious offense of “Nope” is its utter lack of originality. The film shamelessly borrows elements from a laundry list of other, far superior works. From “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” to “The Twilight Zone,” it’s impossible to ignore the blatant influences that permeate the film. Instead of paying homage to these classics, “Nope” feels like a lazy copycat, lacking the creativity and innovation that made its predecessors so memorable.

 

 

Final Verdict: A Resounding “No” to “Nope”

In conclusion, “Nope” (2022) is a cinematic disaster of epic proportions. Its lack of coherence, underdeveloped characters, heavy-handed messaging, and disregard for logic make it a baffling and frustrating experience. Jordan Peele, who has shown promise as a filmmaker in the past, has delivered a film that falls far short of expectations. As I left the theater, I couldn’t help but wonder how a movie with so much hype and potential could end up being such a colossal disappointment. “Nope” is a resounding “no” for anyone seeking a satisfying and meaningful cinematic experience.

 

My Rating: 1/10