January Movie Reviews Part 1 (Glass Onion, The Menu, RRR)
As we get into 2023, I’ve had a chance to check out some of the better reviewed movies from 2022 as they’ve become available on streaming. I think that since I already came out with my Best of 2022 article, any of these movies that would’ve qualified for an award for that year, I’ll instead mention in a future Best of 2023 post.
Basically, I’ve made the executive decision that it’s not when the movie is released that’s important, but when I actually watch it. This is because it is I who is at the center of the universe*. With that being said, let’s take a look at three movies from the latter half of the 22nd year of the second millennium.
(*Editor’s note: I know I’m not really, but I’m allowed to make myself the main character on my own blog where I put my name in the website’s title.)
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Netflix, 140 minutes
Glass Onion is a solid, but also overrated sequel to writer-director Rian Johnson’s 2019 smash hit, Knives Out. As with the first film, we’re on the case with Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc, who this time has received a mysterious invitation to a billionaire’s private island where a colorful cast of characters (along with murder and intrigue) await.
I think the first part of this movie really builds a lot of momentum, but then it loses a lot of steam when a twist is revealed midway. I also get what Johnson was going for with the ending, but it definitely left me feeling unfulfilled, and I don’t think it’s on par with the masterful conclusion of the first film.
Overall, Glass Onion, despite its hefty runtime and my issues with it, is still worth checking out for fans of this type of Agatha Christie-style mystery. It’s not great, but I’d still be curious to see what future cases Blanc finds himself investigating; an opportunity I’m sure I’ll get since this movie did so well.
Grade: 7/10
The Menu (2022)
Searchlight Pictures, 107 minutes
The Menu is a delicious horror satire about a couple who travels to an exclusive restaurant located on a remote island. The movie is a combination of the “satirize the rich” idea we’ve seen done well recently on shows like The White Lotus and Succession with the elements found in horror movies.
Overall, this is a finely crafted movie with some pretty great acting. Ralph Fiennes as our villainous head chef though is the clear standout of the cast. His performance commands attention every time he’s on the screen and he’s definitely worthy of an Oscar nomination, though he won’t get one since the academy rarely notices horror films.
The Menu isn’t a truly terrifying movie when compared to something like Smile, which also came out in 2022, but it’s still firmly a horror film. It’ll leave you thinking about it after you’ve finished watching, and also probably wanting a really good cheeseburger.
Grade: 8.5/10
RRR (2022)
Sarigama Cinemas, 187 minutes
RRR is a Indian Telugu-language epic about two freedom fighters. The film is the most expensive Indian film ever made and I imagine that when producers were asked by effects companies what they wanted in the film, they simply replied, “everything.” There’s no shortage of CGI attacking wild animals or explosions in this one.
At over three hours long, there’s a lot in RRR in general, and some of it works, but some of it definitely doesn’t. There’s certainly one too many (or two or even three too many) CGI-heavy fight scenes. I could’ve done with more fun dance numbers instead, because I think the more lighthearted aspects of the movie, like the relationship between the two male leads midway through, is where the movie finds the most success.
RRR might be the most melodramatic movie to receive the amount of praise from critics and audiences that it has, but I’d still agree that there’s still enjoyment to be had with it. I’d recommend splitting it into at least a couple of viewings though, since it feels almost as long as it actually is.
Grade: 6.5/10