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Writer's pictureGus Keller

Don't Look Up: An Exaggerated Examination

Updated: Feb 19, 2023


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Don't Look Up is blunt social commentary, which is both intentional and timely. Some might dislike the movie because it challenges their politics, but that is precisely why it is so hyperbolic. By exaggerating current events, it sheds glaring lights on systemic issues while maintaining a dark comedic tone. It's far from subtle, but its frankness is its charm. Films rarely provide so much food for thought, yet deliver it in such a digestible and humorous way. Plus, there is a surprising amount of heart in the end. For that alone, Don't Look Up is well worth its time.


However, the film supplies more than its witty script. Clearly, the stellar cast is its selling point, and each A-lister has time to ham it up. DiCaprio and Lawrence inject the project with passionate vulnerability, while the supporting cast (namely Streep, Hill, Perry, and Blanchett) steals plenty of scenes. The sound and editing unite to evoke the information overload of our digital age, and juxtapose that with the tranquility of our natural roots. The production captures both small-town and limelight atmospheres, the effects are convincing, and the direction has real flavor. Overall, Don't Look Up is clever satire and solid filmmaking.


Writing: 8/10

Direction: 8/10

Cinematography: 7/10

Acting: 8/10

Editing: 9/10

Sound: 8/10

Score/Soundtrack: 7/10

Production Design: 8/10

Casting: 10/10

Effects: 7/10

Overall Score: 8.0/10




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Don’t Look Up was my first Adam Mckay movie so I didn’t have any real expectations or biases going in, I knew it was super divisive but I kept an open mind. Unfortunately I realized this is exactly the type of filmmaking I have come to despise, I think it’s awfully empty and honestly, an annoying film. I’ve heard people say that the satire was accurately over the top and that this film is a good and relevant representation of our world today, and sure, it’s one of the strengths of this movie but I can’t help feeling like it’s a tone deaf and mean spirited film that repeats itself too often and ends up as a hollow mess that does nothing more than condescendingly talk down to its audience and pats itself on the back for putting out the most obvious message out there and thinks it’s great because the film is practically ‘shouting’ said message. It lacks any sort of nuance and the people that this is directed at aren’t suddenly going to change their opinions after watching an “allegorical” tragicomedy. Obnoxious.


Now look okay, I think climate change is quite real (damn so brave) but here’s the thing.. Who, or what, was this movie made for? The conspiracy theorists? The government? I mean, it’s a comedy that aims to satirize the ‘society we live in’ but it’s so smug and vapid that to me it did nothing more than mildly annoy me for 2 hours. It’s like the most on the nose political SNL skit ever, it’s harmless fun, sure, but it’s irritatingly self important and worse, it will soon be academy award nominated. And it’s not the worst thing in the world, there are a good couple of scenes in here, I appreciate what Jennifer Lawrence and Timothee Chalamet brought to the table. While I think even with a star studded cast, most of the performances were phoned in and peculiarly caricature-like, they were clearly trying. Jonah Hill delivers a couple of decent jokes and so does Cate Blanchett. The screenplay is not nearly as witty as it wishes it could be but there’s some well written scenes in there, especially towards the start.


I particularly enjoyed the numerous meetings with the president. Meryl Streep is Meryl Streep of course so it’s not too hard to enjoy those. But that’s pretty much all that I can say positively about it. Don’t Look Up is also a filmmaking stumble from many aspects, the editing is just terrible. The last time I saw such noticeably bad editing was The 2016 Suicide Squad. It is just disorienting in the worst way possible. The cinematography is serviceable at best, it’s totally flat and bland. I literally cannot believe they used stock footage. And on top of that it has a very artificial quality overall. Nothing this movie does feels honest or ‘resonant’ but instead snide. And the biggest crime of this movie is that - It’s just not funny.


By @starwards1


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BBFC rating: 15 | MPAA rating: R

Directed by: Adam McKay

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance and Timothee Chalamet


Kate Dibiasky: “Unless you assholes are taking me to the Batcave, fuck you for putting this hood on me.”


Don't Look Up is an American science fiction film that tells the story of two astronomers attempting to warn humanity about an approaching comet that will destroy human civilization. The impact event is an allegory for climate change, and the film is a satire of government, political, and media indifference to the climate crisis.


Don't Look Up set a new record for the most viewing hours in a single week on Netflix, and is currently the second most-watched film on Netflix within 28 days of release. (Wikipedia)


Don’t Look Up really tickled me. There are many, many laugh of loud moments throughout. The satire is laid on so thick it’s ridiculous, but it’s a refreshingly honest look at our society. The film makes you laugh at the same time as making you wince. There are other tones throughout which was unexpected but welcomed. The characters are well written and performances are brill.



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Title: Don't Look Up

Director: Adam McKay

Year: 2021

Rating: 9/10

One easy thing to say about this movie is that it's the best; most annoying movie I've ever watched. It's crazy how frustrated I got. The theme combinations of human ignorance and greed was massively topical to this generations stupidity, due to the carelessness and hindistic standpoint of this time. I loved the vast distinction of characters.

Seriously though, the stupidity of the characters in this GOT ME SO ANGRY! Matched with their toxic positivity. Adam McKay (director) did a perfect job on making me despise these characters, and love and relate to the main character's frustration (Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence). It just makes me want to be able to go into the screen and shout at them, saying that "positivity doesn't help! Fear is good sometimes! You need to be aware of it to change it!" I hated the president so much, that it was so satisfying when Diabsky spoke to her honestly and straight up, and when she got eaten by a Bronteroc. :)

I loved the carefree idea of unrealism in this movie, it just wanted to get the point across of actually caring and taking action, and it did it perfectly.

I also loved how Diabsky just didn't give a shit later, they reasoned that perfectly before.

One thing I wish is that there was more satisfaction in the killing of the most annoying characters (emphasising it, showing more), that would be the President, the President's son (thank you Jonah Hill, for portraying the worst character ever), and Peter, with his freakishly strange teeth.

It's safe to say it got me to the point where I wanted the bad thing to happen, the comet to destroy earth, because they all deserved it, and that, is completely amazing for a film creator to do.


By @brofilmcriticwnie


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