'Glass Onion' makes 'Knives Out' even duller than it already was
Netflix
Full disclosure: I didn’t understand the hype for “Knives Out.” Despite being a big fan of writer-director Rian Johnson (“Brick,” “Looper”), I thought his massive hit mystery felt obvious for anyone who’s seen a few “Law and Order” episodes, with characterization that was too simplistic and conspicuous. The plot didn’t deepen so much as sit there, proud of itself, with a payoff that was more shrug than shock.
Sadly, the sequel contains all the same problems, plus lame jokes galore. Instead of crafting a plot to match the layers of his title, Johnson has reverse-engineered “Glass Onion” as a whodunit where not nearly enough time is spent on the “it” and way, way too much time is spent doubling back on the “who,” without a single clever idea or subtle way with character. This is only a great mystery if you’ve never before seen an onscreen murder.
Actually, no, still lame.
The plot involves a billionaire (Edward Norton) gathering his old friends (Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn) at his private Greek island for a playful murder mystery. The presence of the group’s ex-bestie (Janelle Monae) and the world’s foremost detective (Daniel Craig) complicates things, however, and it’s not long before someone actually dies and, yeah yeah yeah, everyone’s a suspect. Everyone also seems to know they’re in a movie, though not on purpose.
If you’ve seen the “Mystery Weekend” episode of “Saved by the Bell” you’ve seen about all there is to “Glass Onion,” and sadly even the performances, which were an occasional highlight of the first “Knives Out,” fail to elevate this self-satisfied mediocrity. This is simply not a good story, and Johnson struggles to draw the necessary emotional component from these friends and their difficult relationships. There’s conflict but no feeling.
A plot that spins instead of spreads? Talented actors given one thing to do? Feeble knocks on Jared Leto and Jeremy Renner? Fork this.
C
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