I Disagree with the Hype

Summary

In this review, Charles expresses his dissenting opinion on a hyped new horror film that recently garnered 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. He argues that the movie, while enjoyable, is more of a dark comedy than a traditional horror film, with humor undercutting many tense moments. Despite strong cinematography and performances, particularly from Justine, Charles finds the film’s premise and mystery to be underwhelming in the end. He notes how the final act shifts into slapstick comedy, deflating the tension. Ultimately, while entertained, he disagrees with the overwhelming praise and classifies the film as a dark comedy rather than the horror masterpiece many claim it to be.

Takeaways

• 😀 The reviewer expresses a contrary opinion to the hype surrounding the new horror film, claiming it is more comedic than scary.
• 😀 The film received a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but the reviewer believes the film doesn't live up to such high praise.
• 😀 The reviewer draws a comparison to 'Long Legs,' another film that was marketed as extremely scary but failed to live up to expectations.
• 😀 The movie features a mix of horror and comedy, with humor often undermining the tension in the story.
• 😀 The film's plot revolves around a mysterious event where a classroom of children mysteriously disappears at 2:17 a.m., with no clear explanation at first.
• 😀 The reviewer praises the director, Zack Kger, for his work on 'Barbarian,' but notes that while the film was enjoyable, it didn’t quite meet expectations.
• 😀 The film uses a unique narrative structure by presenting different scenes from multiple characters' perspectives, adding depth and intrigue.
• 😀 The cinematography is highlighted as a positive aspect, with the reviewer noting that the film is shot in a creative and engaging way.
• 😀 The reviewer feels that the horror element of the film is often played for laughs, especially in the final act, reducing the impact of the scares.
• 😀 The ultimate antagonist, Glattis, is portrayed comically rather than terrifyingly, with her absurd appearance and the absurd way she is presented in the film’s climax.
• 😀 Despite the humor being effective for some, the reviewer feels it undermines the horror experience, especially in the final chase sequence, which plays out like a slapstick routine.

Q & A

What is the main criticism the speaker has regarding the film 'Weapons'?

The speaker criticizes the film for being overhyped as a horror movie, arguing that it is more of a dark comedy than a traditional horror film. Despite enjoying the movie, they felt it didn’t live up to the hype surrounding it.

How does the speaker compare 'Weapons' to another film, 'Long Legs'?

The speaker compares 'Weapons' to 'Long Legs' by highlighting how both films were marketed as intensely scary but ended up being less frightening than anticipated. The speaker felt that 'Weapons' had the same underwhelming impact as 'Long Legs', despite the hype.

Why does the speaker consider 'Weapons' more of a comedy than a horror film?

The speaker believes that the film undermines its horror elements with frequent comedic moments, especially in tense scenes, which are often played for laughs rather than genuine fear. They describe it as having a similar tone to the MCU, where serious moments are often followed by humor.

What role does the character Justine play in the film?

Justine is the teacher whose classroom of children mysteriously disappears at 2:17 a.m. She is ostracized by the town and becomes one of the core characters as the mystery unfolds. Her perspective is one of the key lenses through which the story is told.

How does the film structure its narrative, according to the speaker?

The film employs a unique narrative structure, where the same scenes are revisited from different character perspectives, filling in missing pieces of the story. This structure is compared to a video game, with chapters that provide new insights into the mystery.

What is the significance of the director Zack Kger in the speaker's opinion?

The speaker appreciates Zack Kger as a director, particularly for his work on 'Barbarian' and 'The Whitest Kid You Know'. They were excited about 'Weapons' due to his previous successes but ultimately felt let down, as the film didn’t meet their expectations.

What was the speaker's reaction to the film's cinematography?

The speaker praises the cinematography of 'Weapons', noting that the film is visually creative and stands out with interesting shots. They felt the filmmakers were having fun with their visual choices, breaking away from typical horror or comedy formulas.

What was the speaker's opinion on the film’s horror elements?

While the speaker acknowledged that the film has some solid horror moments, they felt the humor constantly undercut the tension. The horror was often played off as a joke, which diluted the scare factor. In the end, the film felt more like a dark comedy than a true horror experience.

How does the speaker describe the final act of the film?

The speaker describes the final act as disappointing, where the buildup to a dramatic conclusion is played for laughs. A chase scene featuring Glattis and the children is likened to slapstick comedy, which detracts from the tension that had been built up throughout the movie.

What issue does the speaker have with the movie's resolution and the character of Glattis?

The speaker feels that the resolution to the film's mystery is underwhelming, with the big bad character, Glattis, turning out to be a comically bad old woman with magic powers. They also criticize how the horror elements involving Glattis are often played for laughs, detracting from the stakes of the story.