by Ben Miller
Director Rian Johnson can do what he wants these days. After helming a Star Wars movie, directors have the cache to explore different realms of entertainment. Johnson decided to go with Knives Out, an original story inspired by Agatha Christie murder mysteries. Let’s break it down with our Yes, No, Maybe So™ system...
YES
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Johnson had an impressive filmography before The Last Jedi hit theaters. He's three for three and we have no reason to expect that this will disappoint.
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That is a MONSTER of a cast: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana De Armas, Michael Shannon, Jamie f-ing Lee Curtis, Toni f-ing Collette, Don Johnson, future Oscar winner Lakeith Stanfield, a pair of young up-and-coming stars in Jaeden Martell and Katherine Langford, the criminally underused Riki Lindhome (who is hilarious by the way) and Oscar-winner Christopher Plummer as the murdered family patriarch
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The production design is bonkers, in a good way. Apparently, there is some kind of Iron Throne made of knives! Also, plenty of libraries and studies in the big mansion where the film takes place.
'How was it?' The party? Pre-my dad’s death? Oh, it was great!”
- We need more adult dark comedies in the world.
- Craig is so obviously enjoying doing anything that is not James Bond related. (I have a personal soft spot for any actor who is clearly enjoying themselves.)
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It’s taken less than 24 hours for the “Eat shit, eat shit, definitely eat shit” to become a meme, so let's put this in the plus column. This has also evolved into a statement on Johnson’s career and criticisms against it.
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Johnson has always excelled at filming action, and this looks like the perfect use of his talents.
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Chris Evans mouthing “Wow” while Daniel Craig flips coins is indicative of public feelings.
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Everything looks pretty as Johnson has brought along his cinematographer Steve Yedlin, as well as his editor Bob Ducsay, who might have quite the task ahead of him
NO
- Daniel Craig is so definitely British, so it's worrisome when he tries another accent. It worked in Logan Lucky, but you can't call him skilled in the accent department.
MAYBE SO
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Chris Evans got his start playing an asshole-type with Not Another Teen Movie, but we haven’t seen him go full heel since he became Captain America. A possibly welcome (?) sharp contrast to the shining beacon of light that we've all become accustomed to.
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Is it too much to ask to get Toni Collette’s real accent in two movies in a row? She has such a great American accent, I constantly forget she is Australian.
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Some of the jokes are a bit broad... at least within the trailer format. I’m not a big fan of the CSI:KFC joke, but it might be played as corny in context
Full disclosure: I was already a yes the second I heard Johnson was making another film. Now with this story, cast, and tone, it's an 'all the way in' kind of "Yes". How about you? Are you a Yes No or Maybe So on the trailer evidence?