PLOT: A brother and sister who recently lost their father find themselves connected to a strange phenomenon. It is one that appears to involve alien visitors with questionable motives here on Earth.
REVIEW: The first images you see in Jordan Peele’s latest, Nope, are not what you might expect. Yet that’s perhaps exactly why his directorial efforts are so intriguing. When you’re expecting aliens, and you get the aftermath of something terrifying, not created by aliens, it’s almost shocking. Peele has a way of subverting the preconceived notions of fans going to his films. His most recent feature works on a different level from his earlier efforts. While Get Out and Us, offered a twist, Nope takes a slightly different approach. That said, it still creates an impressive amount of suspense and surprises along the way. And yes, it’s almost more difficult to discuss without revealing too much.
After an unexpected and tragic event kills their father, OJ and Esmerald Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) must try and carry on the family business. The two train horses to be used in television and film. However, their father passing is only the beginning. After they notice a curious cloud formation, the brother and sister begin to suspect that it’s an alien ship. In hopes of capturing it on film, they enlist the help of famed cinematographer Antlers Hoist (Michael Wincott). And inadvertently, a local Fry’s customer service rep named Angel Torres (Brandon Perea) ingratiates himself into OJ and Esmerald’s wild UFO adventure. And yes, it all gets a bit crazy in the best of ways.
Nope is very challenging to discuss without spoiling when it comes to critiquing. Yet not for the reasons one might expect. It’s not as simple as giving away the twist ending, like his previous efforts. Not at all. The problem is that the film reminded me specifically of a couple of classic Steven Spielberg films. And frankly, I’d feel I’m revealing too much if I say which ones – a certain blockbuster in particular. As the events unfold, Nope happily pays homage to a few other tales, and it does so with energy and thrills. The set design, random objects like the air dancers you may have seen in the advertisements, and the expertly shot film all come to life for one weird and wildly enjoyable conclusion.
Another aspect that works wonders is the cast. Daniel Kaluuya has proven to be a perfect fit working with Mr. Peele. The actor who shined in Get Out is equally terrific here. As well, Keke Palmer brings on the energy in a big way. And then we have Michael Wincott as a cinematographer who can get that perfect shot – hopefully when it comes to alien life forms. Steven Yeun is a blast as Ricky ‘Jupe’ Park, a cowboy-attired gentleman who runs an attraction called “Jupiter’s Claim.” Finally, in a stand-out performance, you have Brandon Perea as the annoyingly insistent Fry’s employee hoping to find some kind of extraterrestrial proof in person. The characters are a delight, only adding to the exciting on-screen antics presented by Mr. Peele.
The way that Peele and his DP, Hoyte Van Hoytema, capture the stunning sequences that take this story to the sky is remarkable. From the bright colors that pop out at you in Jupiter’s Claim to the ominous clouds that appear to be hiding something strange, it all looks gorgeous. The score by Michael Abels adds a sense of mystery and fright. And the script, also by Peele, manages to create a very engaging world that is good and scary fun to visit. While this may not have the shock and awe more prominent in his previous works, the mood and atmosphere here are infectious. One of the creepiest moments involves a previously mentioned and very unsettling memory that Yeun’s character shares. It’s far more disturbing the more it comes to my mind.
Nope not only has the best use of a title in the dialogue, but it’s also a fun ride to take. The cast is equally strong and clearly in on the joke. And yes, the visuals on display are wildly inventive. It even features a few disturbing moments likely to leave audience members unnerved. Nope is layered, thrilling, and perhaps a little bizarre, and its infectious energy and stunning imagery build to a bonkers final act. While Jordan Peele isn’t going crazy with the twist on this, you’ll find plenty of unexpected avenues taking the film into exciting territories. And then there is the terrific soundtrack featuring a collection of classic R & B tunes. Nope is a ride. And once again, it shows what a fascinating storyteller Jordan Peele is.
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