COLOSSAL review - Think big
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Colossal is a 2016 dramedy directed by Nacho Vigalondo (Open Windows). Starring Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, and Dan Stevens, it was released by Neon. Hathaway plays a party girl who returns to her po-dunk home town after her boyfriend (Stevens) kicks her out. There she finds out that she can control a giant monster in South Korea while standing in the playground sandbox. An inventive premise, and one that was a hit with critics--though it didn't translate into box office success. Since it has become a staple of Hulu, along with other Neon films such as Ingrid Goes West or I, Tonya. That's actually what I saw it on. I came in with decent expectations, having heard good things of it before. But I didn't know I would end up loving it as much as I did.
Colossal is not precisely a blockbuster, but it proves something that has yet to get through to Hollywood juggernauts--quality art direction and film-making supercede throwing millions upon millions into cookie cutter CGI. Colossal never once feels confined by its budget, as it sticks to a small, personal story. The sets and wardrobes are convincing, as are the surprisingly scant special effects. There's a moment in the otherwise excellent climax (more on that later) where the visual storytelling is confusing momentarily, but otherwise it's a breezy watch. Godzilla: King of the Monsters and God of War 2018's Bear McCreary provides the soundtrack of Colossal. And while I know Danny boy loves Bear's work, but I found it to be pretty generic and forgettable, honestly. Not up to the standards of the rest of the film.
Colossal is not the funniest movie I've ever seen, but it's not trying to be and there are some chuckles to be had with it. Where the film really shines is in the drama, which is bolstered twofold by the acting and the story. Hathaway kills it, and Sudeikis does a really terrific job too. These two absolutely sell the roller coaster plot, which pulls no punches. It's a satisfying watch, with a clever finale. Apparently a lot of folks found it confusing enough to warrant a cottage industry of YouTubers E X P L A I N I N G it, but I thought it was relatively straightforward and completely engaging. The characters are complex and well rendered, even Hathaway's character is not your average party girl for very long. And where her character goes is pretty cool and, I would assume, empowering.
Colossal is not a perfect, pristine movie, but it is a raw and fascinating one--and that allows me to forgive some rough patches. And I think it's gonna stick with me for quite a while. It's a unique, interesting watch and has me keen to see where Nacho goes next directorally. Definitely check this one out if it sounds cool to you. Colossal gets a 10/10.
Master-class
Summary:
A cracking good watch that goes all-in on an airtight premise.
Colossal is a 2016 dramedy directed by Nacho Vigalondo (Open Windows). Starring Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, and Dan Stevens, it was released by Neon. Hathaway plays a party girl who returns to her po-dunk home town after her boyfriend (Stevens) kicks her out. There she finds out that she can control a giant monster in South Korea while standing in the playground sandbox. An inventive premise, and one that was a hit with critics--though it didn't translate into box office success. Since it has become a staple of Hulu, along with other Neon films such as Ingrid Goes West or I, Tonya. That's actually what I saw it on. I came in with decent expectations, having heard good things of it before. But I didn't know I would end up loving it as much as I did.
Colossal is not precisely a blockbuster, but it proves something that has yet to get through to Hollywood juggernauts--quality art direction and film-making supercede throwing millions upon millions into cookie cutter CGI. Colossal never once feels confined by its budget, as it sticks to a small, personal story. The sets and wardrobes are convincing, as are the surprisingly scant special effects. There's a moment in the otherwise excellent climax (more on that later) where the visual storytelling is confusing momentarily, but otherwise it's a breezy watch. Godzilla: King of the Monsters and God of War 2018's Bear McCreary provides the soundtrack of Colossal. And while I know Danny boy loves Bear's work, but I found it to be pretty generic and forgettable, honestly. Not up to the standards of the rest of the film.
Colossal is not the funniest movie I've ever seen, but it's not trying to be and there are some chuckles to be had with it. Where the film really shines is in the drama, which is bolstered twofold by the acting and the story. Hathaway kills it, and Sudeikis does a really terrific job too. These two absolutely sell the roller coaster plot, which pulls no punches. It's a satisfying watch, with a clever finale. Apparently a lot of folks found it confusing enough to warrant a cottage industry of YouTubers E X P L A I N I N G it, but I thought it was relatively straightforward and completely engaging. The characters are complex and well rendered, even Hathaway's character is not your average party girl for very long. And where her character goes is pretty cool and, I would assume, empowering.
Colossal is not a perfect, pristine movie, but it is a raw and fascinating one--and that allows me to forgive some rough patches. And I think it's gonna stick with me for quite a while. It's a unique, interesting watch and has me keen to see where Nacho goes next directorally. Definitely check this one out if it sounds cool to you. Colossal gets a 10/10.
Master-class
Summary:
A cracking good watch that goes all-in on an airtight premise.
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