User Reviews

This seems like a film about a comet headed to earth to destroy the planet. It is really a satire about society. It spoofs the social media and how politics and truth deniers argue about facts while killing the planet. If you look up into the sky, you will see the comet. The title in the mantra of those who believe the comet is a conspiracy. Tech industry leaders and talk show hosts are also satirized. It would be really funny if not so true.

Guide: f-word. Brief sex and nudity.

Greetings again from the darkness. What happens if Chicken Little was right, and the sky really is falling? Writer-director, and Oscar winner, Adam McKay proved with THE BIG SHORT (2015) and VICE (2018) what occurs when he turns his unique commentary towards a target. Two questions remain. Is political or social satire just too easy these days? Has insanity permeated our globe to the degree that pointing out the lunacy has become ho-hum? McKay wrote the script from journalist David Sirota's story, and it's even more extreme than his previous work, and likely meant as a wake-up call to all of us.

Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence stars as Kate Dibiasky, a student (with a Carl Sagan figurine on her desk) who discovers a large comet speeding towards earth. Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio stars as her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy, and we can see on his face what his calculations mean. The two head to Washington DC to inform the President of their findings. President Orlean (a nod for movie buffs) is played by Oscar winner Meryl Streep, and her Chief of Staff is Jonah Hill, who also happens to be her son. President Orlean is too concerned about her slipping rating in popularity polls to pay much heed to the scientists, opening the way for Jonah Hill to be the most Jonah Hill he's ever been. It's an outrageous scene ... yet ... it feels all too possible.

Dibiasky and Mindy are so shocked and frustrated at the blow-off, they decide to take the story to the media. Appearing on the vacuous and highly-rated morning talk show, "The Rip", they are guided to "Keep it light. Keep it fun" while on the air with the entirely too-upbeat co-hosts played by Cate Blanchett and Tyler Perry. At this point, Dibiasky is unable to control her frustration. This results in her becoming a social media meme, while Dr. Mindy becomes the "hot" astronomer - labeled an AILF. This is an obvious take on Dr. Fauci's popularity during the pandemic. Other opportunities for Mindy includes getting closer with Blanchett's talk show host, despite his wife (Melanie Lynskey) taking care of the home front.

Obviously most of these characters are a bit cartoonish, but that's the point. Once the media pressures the President into taking action, an ARMAGEDDON type mission is planned, only to be scratched at the last moment and replaced by a more profitable option. Peter Isherwell (Oscar winner Mark Rylance as a blend of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk) is a tech billionaire and President Orlean supporter, and his plan involves mining the meteor for precious metals while also saving the planet.

Although Dibiasky has dropped out of the 'spread the word' campaign, she's still tracking the approaching asteroid via her diet app as she hangs with a philosophical stoner played by Timothy Chalamet. It started as 6 months and 14 days, and we only get periodic updates on how much time remains. Instead, the focus is on the bumbling antics of those involved and the zany reactions of the general public. We even get President Orlean with a speech from the deck of a battleship in yet another dig at past politicians. Pop star Arianna Grande shifts her celebrity support from manatees to a hit duet with Kid Cudi entitled "Just Look Up", while Himesh Patel plays an opportunistic reporter-boyfriend. Also, Rob Morgan is excellent in his role as supportive scientist Dr. Oglethorpe, and Ron Perelman goes a bit off the rails as the pilot on the first mission.

It's an incredible cast and what a joy to see DiCaprio in a role so far removed from his usual characters. He even gets a NETWORK scene here, and overall he makes us understand how serious the science is, and how easily someone can go off track. Jennifer Lawrence gets the film's best recurring gag, while Jonah Hill fits right in as the impetuous benefactor of nepotism. With the abundance of tooth veneers flashed by a multitude of characters, we can assume the film's dental budget was sky high.

McKay uses the oncoming meteor as a stand-in for the global warming issue, and his tendency to lean heavily left does shine through. However, it's crucial to note that no one, no thing, no organization, and no affiliation is safe during this one. Whereas ARMAGEDDON took pride and patriotism of blue collar folks and turned them into heroes, McKay examines the other side which is all about feelings, discussions, social media, and popularity. He blends Kubrick's DR STRANGELOVE with Judge's IDIOCRACY (which has proven much too accurate), and delivers a disaster movie that uses an asteroid to point out the real danger ... which is ourselves. Is it too much? Too silly? Too angry? Too long? Simply playing to the home crowd? It's likely to be criticized for not being smart enough or clever enough, but seriously, have you looked around at society lately? McKay delivers loads of comedy here, and maybe by laughing at ourselves, we can find a way to improve things. His final scene is more grounded than the rest of the film, and quite touching on its own. Stay tuned for the credit scenes.

Opening in theaters on December 10, 2021 and streaming on Netflix beginning December 24, 2021.

This is a great movie, with an all-star cast. A bit longer than I like but at the same time I cannot think of any wasted scenes. If anyone doesn't understand my "22,740 years later" comment then you didn't watch the two scenes embedded after the credits start to roll.

The reality of our world today is, a widespread distrust of Science in many quarters. Some reject the idea that the Earth is a sphere. Many believe the Earth and the Heavens are only a few thousand years old. Some don't believe Neil Armstrong and other astronauts landed on the moon. Many believe vaccines are a hoax to control people. Many reject the idea of climate change and human negative impacts on our world.

With that reality as a backdrop, this movie was created. Part of it is a parody of the reliance on social media and the rapid way misinformation can spread. The big crisis here is two Michigan astronomers, one a professor and the other a PhD student, discover a large (5 to 9 km diameter) asteroid or comet and when they calculate the path find that it will, at a 99.72% certainty, impact the Earth in a little over six months. An extinction event.

These earnest scientists expect the US POTUS and the rest of the world to pay attention, take it seriously, and quickly start a mission to deflect the object so it will miss Earth. But they encounter just the opposite. Elections are coming up in three weeks, no need to worry the voters. And other, superficial issues.

The name of the movie derives from one group starting the slogan, to counteract misinformation, "Just look up." The skeptics counter with, "Don't look up." But when everyone does then the truth comes out.

The only sad thing about the movie is that there is too much truth to it. Viewed at home, streaming.

Don't Look Up is kinda brilliant, at least in moments.

It's satire, but not that far off. With terrific leads in two of our finest, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. There are tune out periods and stupid silliness amidst, Jonah Hill for instance.

This review's removed every time I say anything... so I'm not saying anything.

As "Don't Look Up" (2021 release; 138 min.) opens, Kate Dibiasky, a PH. D. student at Michigan State, discovers a large comet that is heading for earth and bound to kill all life as we know it in 6 months and 14 days, to be exact. She and professor Randal Mindy are headed to the White House to brief President Janie Orlean but alas are informed by the President's son and Chief of Staff that the President is too busy that day. When the finally see the President the next day, they are weirdly unable to convey the urgency of the situation, and the President orders them to "sit tight"... At this point we are 10 min. Into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from writer-producer-director Andy McKay ("Vice", "The Big Short"). Here he tackles the general indifference that exists in today's culture towards things that really matter, along with providing a glimpse of the future when the next Trump-like person takes over the White House. It all makes for a strange brew that takes a while to build up, but once it is clear where this is heading, it becomes all the more devastating. And then there is the all-star cast, starting with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as the astronomers who get caught up way over their heads in the cesspool that is Washington politics, eerily reminiscent of how Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx were chewed up and spit out early in the COVID-19 crisis. Meryl Streep is the Trump-like President, a one-time Playboy nude model with zero qualifications to be President. Jonah Hill plays her son who is the White House Chief of Staff and equally unqualified. Cate Blanchett is seemingly have the time of her life as Brie, the TV anchor of "The Daily Rip" with unfettered access to the White House. Are you getting the picture here? And I haven't even mentioned Ron Pearlman, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, and Tyler Perry. I mean, it blows the mind. Some may say that the movie is too heavy-handed, but I disagree with that, in particular when you see how the COVID-19 crisis played out under Trump. This is dimply taking it to the next logical level, where "Don't Look Up" (to the sky, that is) becomes the weaponized political statement to deny there is a problem. Please note: don't leave the theater or switch the TV channel when the end-credits start rolling, as we go to "22,470 years later" midway in those closing credits for an update that is as hilarious as it is sad.

"Don't Look Up" was supposed to be released a year ago, but then a little thing called COVID-19 had different ideas and delayed the production of the film. The film opened in select theaters this weekend, and I couldn't wait to see it. The Sunday matinee screening where I saw this at turned out to be a private screening: I was literally the only person in the theater. The movie will start streaming on Netflix in 2 weeks. If you have any interest in a devastating and depressingly effective political satire, or simply are ae fan of anyone in the all-star cast, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theater (while you still can), on Netflix, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

With a Metascore of 49 at the time of this comment's writing, I expected a much worse movie than "Don't Look Up" gave me. I also mostly hated both "The Big Short" and "Vice," so I believed the Metascore would probably be reflective of my own reactions. But I always go into movies wanting to like them, so here's to keeping an open mind. You might find yourself surprised.

This movie is a hot mess, but the world is a hot mess, so the fact that a movie about the state of the world is a hot mess feels right. Yes, much of Adam McKay's satire and commentary is obvious and on the nose. He's not as clever as he thinks he is. But he's assembled a talented cast that knows how to sell the material, and I was mostly just happy that there's a popular movie right now that seems to be topical and relevant to the current American political culture. I've found it strange this year how few movies seem interested in addressing any of the things that are dominating news headlines around the world.

Jennifer Lawrence in this movie is how I feel all the time lately. I just want to yell at people to get it together. Meryl Streep has a ball playing a female Trump, and who better to take on that roll than the woman who so famously called him out in real life and prompted one of his Twitter tantrums. Jonah Hill I wanted to punch in the face, repeatedly. And Cate Blanchett is unrecognizable as one of those insanely perky morning news hosts that the world needs fewer of.

"Don't Look Up" is about how much of our lives we spend consuming the meaningless white noise of media -- news and social -- and trying to keep up with standards foisted on us by capitalism. If a comet ever does obliterate life on Earth, I want to go out like the family in this movie did -- with a glass of wine, just chilling with the people who are most important to me.

Grade: A.

There may be some current event topics that this film doesn't parody, but off the top of my head I can't think of one. It skewers capitalism, crass commercialism, fake news, disdainful politicians, censoring opposition voices, illegal 'Chilean' immigration, the country's ideological divide, and billionaire space travel wannabes like Elon Musk and Richard Branson. There's no mistaking President Orleans' (Meryl Streep) 'Don't Look Up' baseball cap as an overt slam against a former resident of the White House. Without trying to be, (or maybe it was), the satire is often hilarious, as it examines a culture that's too wrapped up in it's cell phones and social media to care much whether the world comes to an end or not. All of the principal players are brilliant in their roles, which for me is saying a lot, as none are particular favorites of mine. Dr. Randall Mindy's (Leonardo DiCaprio) lament, which turns into a historic rant on TV, is really at the heart of the film when he asks "How do we even talk to each other?", highlighting what political events and a world pandemic can do to sew dissension and distrust in all directions. And yet, isn't it the purpose of film makers to put out a product that makes money and win awards? In reality, the picture mocks itself for what it is, a brutal examination of where we've come to in the twenty first century amid all the distractions to real life that can possibly be imagined.

"At this very moment, I say we sit tight and assess."

An astronomy grad student, and her professor make an astounding discovery of a comet orbiting within the solar system on a direct collision course with Earth. However, no one really seems to care. Turns out warning mankind about a planet-killer the size of Mount Everest is an inconvenient fact to navigate. With only six months until the comet makes impact, managing the 24-hour news cycle and gaining the attention of the social media obsessed public before it's too late proves shockingly comical - what will it take to get the world to just look up? Don't Look Up is acclaimed writer and director Adam McKay's newest feature film. He's a critical darling and master at satire and comedy. His last feature Vice proved to be divisive among critics and audiences but still got the recognition and awards hype after that battle. Don't Look Up is even more divisive and faces that same battle. Even with its mixed scores and reactions, it still has managed to appear on many best picture lists and other categories. I, for one, am all for that love. This is such a hilarious, angering, and scary film. Everything about this story is entirely possible and even reflects on modern day life. There's a large ensemble with many stars, each portraying a different type of person we'd see in a situation like this. The biggest standouts for me are DiCaprio, Streep, and Lawrence. DiCaprio plays a nervous scientist struggling with anxiety. He's really good and for me one of his best performances. At one point, he has this long monologue like the freak out scene in Network, which he nails out of the park. Obviously, he'll be everyone's favorite out of this. Streep plays the controversial president of the United States who doesn't care much and fails to look at science. Right now we know many politicians like that so it'll be easy to relate to the anger towards her. Streep has so much fun with the role and it's hard not to enjoy to some degree. Much like DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence is struggling with the anxiety of this, but is also full of rage for how the situation is handled. She's the closest to what the audience will be feeling and is easiest to relate to. Some of her character needed work on, but a great performance by her.

McKay is known for his distinctive style of editing which is prominent here. It may not be his best edit yet, but it still works on a comedic level. He knows when to cut to the next scene and when to do a freeze frame in the middle of a frustrating and hilarious scene. The one thing the edit fails to do is shorten the film. This is a pretty long one. It flies by quickly, but it's longer than it needs to be. There's even a mid-credit scene which answers a question posed in the film, but honestly it wasn't needed. As much as I liked it, I was ready to be done once the credits started rolling. There's so much to take in with a topic like this. At times it feels overwhelming, and it is a scary topic to think about. It's like McKay did it too well placing all this stress on us. I'm a big fan of the conclusion. They could've handled it differently or done something safer, but they go for it. With all the fun the film has, it's not scared to be honest and show things how they are. And there is some beauty to be found. I really enjoyed Don't Look Up. There's many achievements to be found. McKay's writing is great. Nicholas Britell's score shines through. The performances stand out. It's a fun time even when it's not. It'll take a certain person to appreciate something like this. Honestly, I doubt many audiences will take a liking to it. Once you see it, you'll be able to tell. Don't Look Up drops on Netflix this Friday, so if you want to get your family together this holiday weekend to watch a film about the end of the world, go for it!