The Mosley Review: Everything, Everywhere All at Once
In the ever expanding list of films about a multiverse, there are gonna be films that are very easy to follow and then some that toss you right into the deep end. This film was the latter and it was a whirlwind of imagination and insane visuals. Most films like these really only have the "end of the multiverse" story arc with no real substance and that's fine, but this one had so much to offer in its rich and unique story. The many themes of life, parenthood, sexual identity, independence and cultural injustice that has been past down was wonderfully engrained into this insane film. Yes, I could go on about the awesome and inventive fight scenes, but it is the family drama that is the heart of the film and the action driven by that story. This film is gonna leave you overwhelmed after awhile on the surface once everything goes bananas, but the film does slow down enough for even the casual viewer to realize the many messages the film gets across.
Michelle Yeoh is always a powerhouse on screen and she was yet fantastic as the laundry mat owner Evelyn Wong. You feel the unbelievable amount of chaos and stress in her life as she tries to keep her father happy and a business running with an unhappy marriage and unstable daughter. All of this was super stress inducing and I loved honest portrayal of it. Once her world gets shaken up, you see her expertise on display as she perfectly balances comedy, action and the emotional core of the character. Ke Huy Quan was awesome as her husband Waymond and I liked the chemistry between them. You believe in his genuine love for his wife and also his heartbreak. Once the multiversal madness begins, he gets to play around with an alternate version of himself and that was cool. It was so much fun to watch him switch back and forth between an adoring husband to freedom fighter from a different universe and back. He explains the rules so fast, but there is a visual component to it that is illustrated by him as well. Jamie Lee Curtis was hilarious and fun as the IRS Inspector, Deirdre Beaubeirdra. She delivered some awesome moments of comedy and zanny visual gags and you can tell she was having the time of her life. James Hong was great as Evelyn's father Gong Gong. He had some truly heartbreaking moments and represented the oppressive nature of men towards Chinese woman. Now the real standout in the film was none other than the amazing Stephanie Hsu. She plays her rebellious daughter and their fights about her mother's lack of communication and her unwillingness to support her decision of whom she loves was rough. When Joy's villainous alternate self appears, Jobu Tupaki, she was awesome and fun. She represents the inner pain and nihilism she feels while around her family. Her performance was so emotionally layered and metaphorical and absolutely unforgettable.
The score in the film was excellently done by Son Lux. Amongst the chaos, it elevates the awesome action and visual spectacles, but it drives home the emotional core of the last half of the film. Visually this film was out of this world amazing and I was baffled by the expertise of the editing and perfect blend of practical and digital effects. There is a fight scene involving an award that is absurd, hilarious, brilliant and it will go down as one of the best of all time. In a age where we're about to get a lot more multiversal films, this one is definitely gonna be remembered as one of the best. Definitely go see this epic! Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
