Claiming to be from the future, a man takes hostages at a Los Angeles diner to recruit unlikely heroes to help him save the world. The newest movie from director Gore Verbinski is not only one of the best of the year so far, but it is also one of the most fun you will have in a theatre in recent memory.
There is honestly so much to say about this movie, but saying too much would definitely spoil things, and this is the type of movie you want to go in blind if you could. Having said that, this is going to be a shorter review. Still, there are plenty of things to acknowledge about this one. We have seen so many movies showing us a future where technology takes over the world. That is nothing new. However, the well-written script, amazing cast of characters, and the current topic of AI really set this film apart from the rest.
Sam Rockwell is excellent as the lead character from the future looking for a group of civilians to help save the world. The action starts right away as we realize that this guy has tried to save the world from AI several times with a different group each time, and failing each time. He has yet to find the perfect combination of help. Our cast of characters this time around includes Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Juno Temple, and Haley Lu Richardson. Everyone is so good in their roles, specifically Richardson and Temple, proving that they can handle the serious moments as well as the more comedic ones.
How Does it Make You Feel?
There are several different ways to review or critique a movie. Some movies get just about everything right from a technical angle, but still won’t please folks. Some movies get everything wrong from a technical aspect, and it will be someone’s favorite thing. When I review films, I try to be 50/50 to give them a fair chance. Is the movie well-made, and does it leave me feeling anything? While many movies lean more one way than the other, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die manages to please on all accounts.
The movie is shot well with tons of amazing set pieces. The characters are likeable and developed enough that you truly care about them, and the script is so original that it truly left me not knowing where the movie was going next. Verbinski had previously directed Pirates of the Caribbean and The Ring: two completely different movies and tones, but both very successful. Verbinski really shows his range in this new movie. He manages to capture both tones of horror and comedy in this film perfectly while sprinkling in a few other ones as well.
The movie is so successful at making you laugh one moment, then leaving you uncomfortable and on the edge of your seat in the next. I will not spoil anything, but there are a couple of scenes in this movie that, if they were in another film, they just wouldn’t work. They are either too weird or too controversial. Current topics in real life are played for satire in this film, and these scenes pack a punch for sure.
The movie is also very smart in how it tackles the idea of AI. The goal of this movie isn’t to completely erase technology or the use of AI. The movie is smart enough to know that AI is already here to stay, whether people like it or not. The heroes are not here to destroy it, but rather find a way to control it responsibly so that we have a world where people can be aware of what is reality and what isn’t. This was such an intelligent and fascinating way to handle things.
Overall
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is the best movie I have seen so far this year and probably the most entertained I have been at the movies in some time. It is an original Sci Fi comedy that has a lot to say without being preachy. It is truly a trip that feels like an old-school adventure film full of rich characters and excitement. It is truly a shame that this movie hasn’t received more screenings, but if there is one local to you, you owe it to yourself to check it out.
