Bad writing, bad directing, bad dialog, just all around bad filmmaking. Just so cringe inducing. Its like a group of 5 year olds made a movie. Robert R should be ashamed of himself. Success has ruined him as a director. Stay in your kiddie lane bro and make some more films for kids. Cant believe this is the same guy that made Desperado and Sin City.
shareApparently RR was “very happy with the final result” despite a challenging covid shoot. He urged people to “go see it”
This was at the opening in Austin TX, the only press I have seen him do.
It was laughably bad, I couldn't finish it.
shareMe neither. I skipped forward through most of it only watching the very ending which was so hokie and unconvincing. For all the talent involved and the production considerations this is really one of the worst movies I have seen in a long time.
shareI just turned it off. I got halfway and gave up.
shareI saw the trailer and the first thing that came to mind was that it looked like shit. I was actually rooting for Robby Rod this time as it was his first attempt at a "serious" film, but everything about it just looked a cheap TV movie straight out of the SYFY channel. I can't say I'm surprised after seeing the reviews, given how spotty Robert Rodriguez's overall filmography is, but still, it's sad to see this once promising filmmaker struggle to find any sort of success outside of work-for-hire TV/music video gigs these days.
If there's any chance that he's listening somehow, my advice would be for him would be to go take some basic screenwriting/film study courses in his spare time. From day one, he's always known the technical stuff down to a T, now it's time for him to finally grow up and learn how to tell a proper story.
This more than likely was a paycheck movie for him. Just a 'director for hire' gig.
shareThis is just bad bad not even so bad its kind of fun.
What a turd of a movie.
I thought it had some good moments where RR reminded us of his abilities. Moreso than anything, the script just was not very good. I thought this was made-for-TV or something based on the cliffhanging plot "twists" and the cheesy dialog. RR seriously wrote lines like "you don't know what you're up against!" and "no time to explain, c'mon!" and probably four different uses of "you just don't get it, do you?" I also had a hard time understanding the extent of the hypnotics powers. I have a hard time fathoming why RR would adore this script so much. I will also say that Ben Affleck was fucking atrocious in this film...he really did not want to be there, did he?
shareNo he did not. Bill Fictner was the only highlight but even this script had him pinned down.
shareI've seen more chemistry in an Accounting course than between Ben A and Alice B.
I think this was RR's attempt at trying to do something along the lines of Christopher Nolan, but it was lame af and annoying. So much cringe too. Surprised they didn't cast Nic Cage in Ben A's role lol.
Ben's Paycheck movie from the early 2000s has a similar premise but is far superior, despite (or perhaps, due to) using less gimmicks and convoluted plot points.