Movie Review: Don't Look Up

It’s not often that a science fiction movie actually gets a lot of press, except for a vast number of previews seen as commercials on almost any television show. However, it is unique that we see so much hype on one, especially a movie that virtually guest-appeared in movie theaters, then found itself just relegated to Netflix. Of course, this can pose a problem for those who don’t subscribe to these extra channels, especially as there’s so much talk about it. Such is the way with Don’t Look Up.

For a science fiction movie, first of all, the cast is incredible: Leonardo DeCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchette, Tyler Perry, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Ron Perlman, et al. Of course, the concept, sadly, isn’t totally inconceivable: We’re gonna die. A comet is coming directly at us, and no one believes it. We have six months to live.

Surprisingly, although Rotten Tomatoes gives it an unhearty 55%, most of the critics are actually behind the movie. The script is fairly believable, and just to round up the actors who are in it has to be a coup for the producer/director Adam McCay. It is also quite long for a movie these days, way over two hours, but it seems to keep the audience’s attention for the entire time.

Although I don’t have any known extra channels, I happened to visit an old friend who does, and begged to watch it. And, actually, it isn’t that bad. Also, there are several YouTubes that actually, if not praise the effort, give it a fairly good thumbs-up (except Rotten Tomatoes, of course, which not many viewers care about anymore anyway), even such a scientist as Brian Cox, who was pleasantly surprised with the effort.

I mention Don’t Look Up for a couple reasons: First, I wouldn’t mind seeing it again, this time with a group of like-minded people, to learn their take on it. It would be great to have a night “at the movies” at Seagrave to discuss it. Also, there is at least one other scifi movie coming up, Full Moon, and it might be a nice idea to do what had been done decades ago, see it and tear it apart, if needed. This idea actually came from Jim Hendrickson, who has wanted to do something like this for some time. In the meantime, though, let’s start with Don’t Look Up. I’d love to know other Skyscrapers’ opinions.