Everything Everywhere All at Once

As I sit back and reflect on the wild ride that was this film, I can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the sheer audacity of it. For those who have yet to see it, you may be wondering what I mean. Allow me to provide a spoiler-free example. Remember Ratatouille, that film about a rat who aspires to be a chef? If you've watched it, you'd know that in order to make its absurd dreams a reality, the rat controlled a man to act as its extended arms and legs. It did this by hiding inside his chef's hat and pulling on his hair. Just don't ask me how okay? It is how it is. Thus resulting in a unique symbiotic relationship. Yeah, complete bonkers, I know. Now, imagine that same crazy idea, but with a raccoon instead of a rat. That's just a taste of the wild and crazy journey this film takes you on. It's as if the creators took a blend of parody, heartwarming storytelling, and pure insanity, hit the mix button, and hoped for the best. And somehow, against all odds, it works. I'll admit, I'm not typically a fan of the Oscars. In fact, one of the reasons it took me so long to watch this film was because it won Best Picture. But my mother convinced me to give it a chance, and I'm glad I did. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the Oscars for what they do. It's just that my tastes rarely align with their panel of judges. Additionally, I believe that art should be a medium of freedom and expression. While artists may choose to limit themselves to certain boundaries and restrictions, the choice to do so should be theirs alone. In contrast, the Oscars not only impose their own limitations but also require artists to conform to their cultural standards. For example, they now mandate racial representation in films to qualify for the Best Picture award. While I agree that racial discrimination is unacceptable, I'm not convinced that enforcing political correctness on art is the right approach. But then again, who am I to say? We're talking about Americans here. They sure seem to love their politics. Nonetheless, let me not digress. Another reason why it took me so long to watch this was the fact that its main actor was Chinese. As someone who has often been let down by Asian live-action movies, I wasn't all that keen to see a movie with an Asian literally on the cover art. Too often, these movies rely on over-the-top action and fantastic elements without bothering to develop a compelling story or characters that you can truly care about. They feel like disposable entertainment, lacking the depth and emotional resonance that make a truly great film. They're like single-use tissues. You use them, then throw them away. This is where Everything Everywhere All At Once is different. From the moment I pressed play, I was pulled into a strange and surreal world I couldn't fall off of. This film had one of the best representations of a shattered mind I've seen on screen, period. It's as if everything was everywhere all at once :D Speaking of the story, it's one of the film's biggest strengths. At its core, it's a meditation on the human psyche and the struggle to come to terms with our own fractured identities. The film takes us on a journey through the mind of a woman whose universe is literally collapsing around her, as she grapples with questions of who she is and what her purpose in life is. But don't worry, this isn't some boring, introspective art film. It's a genre mashup that blends elements of sci-fi, action, and comedy to create something truly unique. Hell, this might be one of the most interesting uses of the multiverse I've seen in a film. Suck it phase 4 MCU. What sets this movie apart is the way it balances its fantastical elements with a deeply meaningful story. Yes, there is plenty of over-the-top action, but it never feels gratuitous or silly. Instead, every moment feels purposeful and carefully crafted to serve the story. Even the most absurd scenes, like the one where our protagonist dual wields two dildos to fight a karate guy with a butt plug that enhances his fighting prowess - yes, you read that right, two fucking dildos - are an integral part of the plot. Best of all, it never belittles its characters or their struggles, even when it's being funny. These scenes aren't considered side plots; here, they ARE the plot. And speaking of being funny, this movie had me laughing out loud more than once. The humour is often absurd and unexpected. Sometimes, the humour doesn't even take centre stage. You have to look closely to see it. But there were enough moments where the movie had me grinning from ear to ear, not just due to how funny they were, but also how smart they were. Ultimately, this is a film that defies categorization. It's a sci-fi action comedy with heart, a movie that manages to be both silly and profound at the same time. But what really makes it special is the way that it manages to be all of those things while still feeling deeply personal and relatable. Whether you're grappling with your own shattered mind or just looking for a movie that will challenge and inspire you, this one is not to be missed.