Nope

 

The latest anticipated summer release this week comes from writer/director/producer Jordan in his third film Nope.  Peele keeping with tradition of playing things close to the vest, meant I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going in, so with an open mind I went to see if the third time was indeed a charm.

From the onset Nope had me shaking my head and wondering what the hell was going on to the point of not even being sure the films’ beginning was part of the films’ beginning. I also admit I’m still a bit muddled on what that whole storyline meant and its connection to the whole but maybe I’m just a bit slow.  More clues and weirdness follow as you begin to piece things together and the unsettling, creep factor builds.  

Nice.

Until it doesn’t.

Nope runs two hours ten minutes total and chugs along nicely for the first half of the first half (make sense?) then I found the pacing takes a dive.  Things slow and drag for a good twenty minutes or so to the point I found myself straight up bored.  Hate to say it, but I was literally saying it as I sat in the theater feeling restless.

Then boom! Peele hits his stride once again; the film takes off and never lets up for the rest of the ride.

Yay!

The cinematography, direction, and visuals of Nope are stunning and create the perfect unsettling, eerie, creepy, thrilling, tension filled movie landscape that had me (as well as the characters) saying “nope”.  For the record I threw in a few “aww hell naws” and a “f this $#@!” as well.  Apologies to Oprah for that one, but I stand by my reaction.

Great casting/acting all around, but it’s Daniel Kaluuya’s OJ, Keke Palmer’s Emerald, and Brandon Perea’s Angel performances that truly make this film a treat. I do wish Michael Wincott featured a little more.  That voice alone is spectacular.

Jordan Peele’s Nope is another original and freshly creative film that blends multiple genres into something exciting to behold. Despite the pacing issue I say it’s well worth a trip to the local movie theater to take a look.  I’m giving Nope a 7.5/8

Additional tidbit for people with kids.  Upon leaving the theater I had a kid of 9 or 10 ask me what I thought of the film. I gave him my take and asked for his.  He informed me he REALLY enjoyed it (so much so that this was his second viewing), he liked EVERYTHING about it, and that Keke Palmer’s Emerald was his absolute favorite.  So, FYI.