Us Movie Review
2.5 out of 5
Jordan Peele’s follow up to Get Out is in theaters. And so far, it would appear that everyone loved it…Except me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like it’s a bad movie, it’s just not as good as I expected. Perhaps heightened expectations ruined it for me, both from the fantastic film that Get Out was, as well as what I was hearing from other people who had the opportunity to review the movie before I did. I was hearing 100% on rotten tomatoes, and quotes were flashed on the screen during advertisements that called it the greatest horror movie of all time. So I was primed…
First, it’s not a horror movie. Not to me anyway. It’s more of a thriller. There’s some blood and gore, and a few jump scares — but to me — a horror movie is more along the lines of Halloween or a zombie flick. This movie falls closer to The Purge movies. Unfortunately, it feels more like the more recent Purge movies and not the original. If you’ve seen the trailer, then in essence, you’ve seen the movie. Just from the trailer you know that the people stalking the family in the film are copies of them, and they aren’t there with good intentions. Other than the build-up leading to the other versions of the family showing up, and eventually the reveal as to who they are and where they came from — that’s it. The build-up was fun and featured some of the comedic talents from Peele in the writing, but ultimately it was the reveal as to why the copies were there that was disappointing.
In addition, once the reason they’re there is known, while original — it leaves so many unanswered questions, problems and plot holes, that whatever fun you had getting to that point, leaves you saying “yeah, but…” a lot during the rest of the film. The acting in the movie from the main actors (the family) is done really well, especially from the lead Lupita Nyong’o. She is given the meatiest role, and she is perfect as both the mother and the creepy copy. Once again, though, once both characters’ roles are fully revealed, it feels disappointing, predictable (to me) and very M. Knight Shyamalan-ish.
Get Out kept you guessing throughout the entire film, and at the same time, kept you on the edge of your seat. When you thought you figured out where it was headed, the goal posts moved on you. It was thrilling and slippery. It was completely original. Us, on the other hand, is easier to figure out, and again, feels like a movie I’ve seen before. The story isn’t as complex and is just thinner overall. There aren’t as many layers, and I believe most people will know what’s coming before it arrives on the screen. I think Jordan Peele has certainly put himself squarely in the conversation of who is the best in the horror / thriller genre — but I’d love to see him venture back into the area where he got his start, and perhaps produce a couple of films that are in the comedy arena. I don’t want to see him fall into the same trap M. Knight Shyamalan fell into and feel he must stick with one type of story — with certain elements that are tough to duplicate — as Shyamalan found out. I have no doubt he will figure it out, I just hope it’s before we get films like Shyamalan’s efforts after his first three films.
Us is in theaters now, and is rated R for violence/terror, and language.
