Review – Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
PG-13 ‧ Mystery/Crime ‧ 2 Hours 19 Minutes

Directed by ‎Rian Johnson

Written by Rian Johnson

THE CAST

Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista.

THE STORY

(In their own words)

Tech billionaire Miles Bron invites his friends for a getaway on his private Greek island. When someone turns up dead, Detective Benoit Blanc is put on the case.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). (L – R) Kate Hudson as Birdie, Jessica Henwick as Peg, Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc, and Leslie Odom Jr. as Lionel. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2022.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

The Mystery – It’s unpredictable, which is very ideal in a mystery, but I feel like that has become too hard for films without some supernatural element. This film managed to surprise us with each turn. It’s grounded and real and the motivations all make sense. I will go as far as to say that director Rian Johnson has helped me fall in love with mysteries again.
The writing is really just exceptional. Well crafted, thought out, wonderful dialogue, and takes us to places we don’t expect. Rian Johnson has a great ability to flesh out characters to be both believable and ludicrous at the same time. He’s definitely a master storyteller.
Daniel Craig is a comedic gem – Daniel Craig reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc from the first Knives out film. I was so glad to discover that his comedic chops from that film weren’t a one hit wonder for him. I never expected the man who played James Bond for so long to end up being a fantastic comedic actor, but he is. He’s authentic, natural, specific, focused, puts on the jacket of a character without playing a character, which is the difference between being a character and a real person put into a funny situation.
Terrific Ensemble – While I am giving special props out to Daniel Craig, the whole ensemble works well together. From top to bottom the cast is full of really talented actors who have great screen chemistry together.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). (L-R) Dave Bautista as Duke and Madelyn Cline as Whiskey. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

There is one scene that has some just awful green screen happening. At this production level, we shouldn’t be seeing that. I get that special effects scenes are expensive, but you’ve gone this far with the production, have it happen with stunt people or something. It just looked silly.

BEST NON-SPOILER LINES

Be careful not to confuse speaking without thought with speaking the truth.

THE LESSON

A friend that “owes you” isn’t really a friend.

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (2022) Janelle Monáe as Andi and Kathryn Hahn as Claire. Cr: John Wilson/NETFLIX

THE FINAL WORD

This stand alone sequel to knives out will keep you guessing through the whole film. If you liked the first Knives Out, you will like this one. It is funny, fresh, and inventive in its storytelling. Easily one of the top four most fun films I’ve seen this year. Daniel Craig is a comedic gem. Dave Batista is becoming another ex-wrestler turned actor that when I see them in a film, I know that I’m going to have a good time. Rian Johnson shows again that he is an excellent craftsman in writing, directing, and overall storytelling. He is making me fall in love with murder mysteries again. If you can watch this film with a crowd, but whatever you do, don’t miss it.