The latest “whodunit” from Rian Johnson brings an all star cast together in one of the most entertaining movies of the year.
A detective investigates the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family
Nothing brings family together quite like a good old fashioned murder. That’s exactly what happens in Rian Johnson’s latest film, that stars so many famous people, it’s like a buffet of Hollywood’s elite. You’ll have a ton of fun with Knives Out, it keeps you guessing until the very end, and isn’t just a run of the mill murder mystery. With top-notch performances and fantastic cast, this is the movie to see right now in theatres. Legit the perfect date night movie.
Everything is going as usual at the Thrombey residence, it’s Harlan Thrombey’s (Christopher Plummer) 85th birthday and the entire family has gathered to celebrate. He’s an extremely wealthy man, a celebrated author and has collected a vast wealth over his life span. Here’s the thing, he’s growing weary and tired of his blood-sucking family who essentially have been leaching off him for their entire lives. His children Linda (Jamie Lee Curtis) Walt (Michael Shannon) and Joni, who is his daughter-in-law but treats her as his own (Toni Collette) are all after one thing, money. Even their own children have turned into money craving lunatics. There’s one person who Harlan wants to spend time with, his only true friend left on planet Earth, his nurse Marta (Ana de Armas). So when dear old dad dies, it’s a legit free for all on who is going to get what. That’s also not a spoiler, it’s in the trailer. Ana de Armas is so lovable and sweet throughout the movie. She might not be a giant household name, but she’ll be climbing those ranks after this.
So obviously with a murder it brings police. Not only that it brings world class detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) who has been tracked down and hired to help solve this case. Here’s the kicker, he is usure of who as contacted him and hired him, but he’s here none the less. Daniel Craig is so good here, he’s got this deep southern accent that gets you every time. Actually referred to as “CSI KFC” at one point. There’s so much talent on screen at all times, Don Johnson, LaKeith Stanfield, and then the standout of the film, Captain American himself, Mr. Chris Evans. Who plays Harlan’s grandson Ransom, who is known as the black sheep of the family. Chris Evans is so awesome in this, funny, charming, bit of a prick. It’s always nice to see actors step away from the capes and turn in a memorable performance. It’s refreshing to see Evans in a role like this, complete opposite of what we are used to as an audience, and he really comes in during the second half of the film, but he fills up the box score pretty quick with limited minutes.
Movies like Knives Out are complicated to discuss because well you don’t want to ruin or spoil a single thing. This movie is just so well made, from the production design, the whole thing is basically set in the Thrombey mansion and it’s spectacular. Everyone is having so much fun “hamming” it up with their performances. We often don’t get movies like this, and it’s one of the best “whodunit” movies in recent memory. Rian Johnson just continues to impress the hell out of me. 3 movies in a row, 3 vastly different genres and they’ve all been great. That’s a hard feat to pull off.
Try to go into Knives Out knowing as little as humanly possible. Watch maybe a trailer but not even. I guess if you’re reading this review prior to seeing the movie, you know just enough. It’s just a crap load of fun at the movies, you’ll be entertained the entire time, and it keeps you guessing the entire time, I thought I knew what was up within 10 minutes, I was so wrong. Just go see this movie so we can get more like it will ya.
Knives Out = 88/100
