The universe is so much bigger than you realize.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a 2022 science fiction action comedy drama film directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, written by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, produced by IAC Films, Gozie AGBO, Year of the Rat, and Ley Line Entertainment, and distributed by A24. It stars Michelle Yeoh and Stephanie Hsu.
"I'm learning to fight like you." - Evelyn Wang
Plot
Evelyn Wang is a depressed laundromat owner that struggles with her relationship with both her husband and daughter. When an alternate version of her husband from a different universe appears to her and warns her of a great danger that threatens the very fabric of the multiverse, Evelyn harnesses the power of her alternate selves to fight for the fate of everything.
My Favorite Part of Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once is an insanely weird experience. Just from the title, you can tell that this movie is going to be strange.
And I think that's it's biggest plus. This movie feels like an episode of Rick and Morty come to life. It goes for some wild, crazy things, and it absolutely hits. It's funny. It's heartfelt. The themes are resonant. It's one of the most creative films I think I've ever seen. It's bursting with imagination and innovation. The multiverse has become a super popular film trope since Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and this film uses it to a completely different effect than any of the Marvel or DC movies. And it absolutely works.
My Least Favorite Part of Everything Everywhere All at Once
This movie definitely loses me near the end.
Similar to Nope, it feels like the ambition of this movie outstretched its actual narrative ability. They go for a bunch of things in the final act that aim to payoff the character arcs, story, and themes, but it feels like they just didn't really stick the landing. It gets too convoluted. Too crazy. Too confusing. And I was kind of disappointed, because the rest of the movie is really, really good.
Why Everything Everywhere All at Once Works
This film is one of the most ingenuitive films of the decade. It really does throw everything everywhere all at once at the audience, and, for the most part, it works. It can be really funny. The action is entertaining. There will be points in this film where it feels like your head is going to explode. But it all makes for a film experience like no other, even if that experience isn't always 100% positive.
Final Thoughts and Score
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a film bursting with creative energy and fun action, all while managing to have resonant themes and a heartfelt core. Despite a lackluster ending, this film is solid.
I will go Savory here. Age range is 12+.
SWEET N' SOUR SCALE
Sweet (Great) Savory (Good) Sour (Bad) Moldy (Terrible)
"Everything Everywhere All at Once"
Fun Factor: 8/10
Acting: 8.5/10
Story: 7.5/10
Characters: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Rated R for moderate violence, language, sexual content, disturbing themes and images, thematic elements
Released on March 25, 2022
2 hours and 20 minutes
Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang
Stephanie Hsu as Joy Wang / Jobu Tupaki
Ke Huy Quan as Waymond Wang / Alpha Waymond
James Hong as Gong Gong
Jamie Lee Curtis as Deirdre Beaubeirdre
Jenny Slate as Debbie the Dog Mom
Harry Shum Jr. as Chad
Tallie Medel as Becky Sregor
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