Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up” was finally screened for film critics in LA and NYC last night. The reactions are, as suspected, polarizing. What McKay seems to have made here is a none-too-subtle allegory to climate change and the pandemic.
Having not seen the film yet, I can’t comment on whether this is an Oscar player, but the people I’ve spoken to don’t believe that it is. And yet, I’m still inclined to believe that the starry cast, the film’s message and Adam McKay’s worth in the industry may push this one again into the Best Picture race. Remember, Vice only had a 61 Metacritic score and still ended up getting 8 Oscar nods.
Here’s a reaction from a West Coast critic:
“A for vision, A for speaking truth, C-minus for execution. Very ballsy and bold “Strangelove”-like satire that feels like an extended, gargantuan, improv-y, effects-laden SNL super-skit about massive self-destruction, and yet oddly, strangely inert for the most part. But not entirely. Because at the same time it’s really out there and righteously wackazoid. But for the most part it doesn’t quite work. A crazy-ass Covid and climate change comic allegory, for sure. It says the right things, eviscerates the right and especially the denialists. It hits the mark two or three times, very broad apocalyptic satire, swings for the fences, Leo really nails it in one screaming scene, and ends with a kind of hand-holding family whimper scene. I can’t in all good conscience say “it doesn’t work” because it’s REALLY saying the right & necessary things, and I loved it for that.”
The Playlist’s Gregory Elwood:
Don’t Look Up has some smart ideas and some obvious ones, but despite its length and meandering nature it’s certainly compelling? Not sure it’s as funny as it wants to be. The drama is much more interesting. Doesn’t balance the tones well. Ariana Grande has a fun song in it.
Awards Watch’s Erik Anderson:
DON’T LOOK UP has some sharp capitalist and political satire if inconsistent humor. Leonardo DiCaprio is incredibly great here and gets an explosive Peter Finch in Network moment. Streep, Lawrence and Rylance are all good. Ariana Grande’s song is fucking hilarious.
Below the Line’s Edward Douglas:
The best way to describe Adam McKay's #DontLookUp is if it's Iannucci doing a Roland Emmerich movie. It's a very funny movie with lots of great actors doing very funny things. Not sure about its Oscar chances, but it's pretty hilarious and one of McKay's better efforts IMO.
Awards Radar’s Joey Magidson:
#DontLookUp is a very funny pitch black satire about how half the country will get us all killed. Don’t expect an Oscar film, but more a big black comedy. The cast hits the right notes, but it feels like Adam McKay is setting up another level that never happens.
Roger Ebert’s Tomris Laffly:
DON’T LOOK UP is the Wag The Dog-meets-Deep Impact satire I didn’t know I needed in my life. Hilarious, and absolutely the best target Adam McKay’s manic impulses has ever found. Ever. (Yeah, it’s his best movie by a healthy margin.) Great stuff!
Next Best Picture’s Will Mavity:
Don’t Look Up has the subtlety of a sledgehammer and it’s too long. That being said, it’s pretty damn funny. DiCaprio is fantastic. Could get yet another nom. Gets a hardcore Peter Finch in Network monologue. Rylance, Hill and Streep are lots of fun too.
Rolling Stone’s David Fear
DON’T LOOK UP: Apparently the world will end not with a bang but with a meme, a culture of perpetual distraction, several soundbites and a two plus hour lecture.
Showbiz411’s Roger Friedman:
I may be in the minority, but #dontlookup is no Dr. Strangelove. After a lot of hamming it up, it does have an affecting, sobering conclusion. But Kubrick is not here and neither is Armando Iannucci. I wish they had been.
Chris O’Falt:
#DontLookUp makes Vice look like Rules of the Game