Review of Everything Everywhere All at Once

Overwhelmed by the soul-numbing realities of existence and underwhelmed by how her life turned out, a seemingly inconspicuous Asian-American woman soon finds herself at the epicenter of a multiversal cataclysm. Begrudgingly ripped from a life she has largely checked out of and forced to acclimate to a non-stop barrage of mind-breaking revelations,  she is faced with a task so important that it can not only redefine her but also all that exists. 

In a cinematic landscape where the formerly teflon Marvel Cinematic Universe clumsily attempts to set up the concept of a multiverse over an increasingly vast number of movies and shows, "Everythign Everywhere All At Once" (EEAAO) not only manages the task in just over two hours but also accomplishes giving viewers a breathtakingly unique experience and an extremely gratifying resolution.  While the base elements of a superhero yarn reside within the structure of EEAAO (after all, we have a protagonist who wields great power being plucked from obscurity to thwart a world conquering villain that is intrinsically tied to them), this is no disposable comic book fodder. Please, do not misunderstand. No, it is so much more than those meager building blocks. In fact, a cursory look at the film's promotional trailers will put that assumption to rest and...well, it might also raise some questions. So what IS it? It is quite literally "everything, everywhere, all at once" and yet it juggles its multitude facets with awe-inspiring ease.

You will find a film that is a family drama, an absurdist comedy, an existential philosophy, a cosmic horror, a martial arts film, a sci-fi picture, a heartfelt tearjerker, an art film, and so, so, so, so much more. All this made possible by its premise and yet so structurally sound that it feels like all these things existed solely to make the film a reality. Moreover, you'll be impressed at how cohesively complete story elements inherent to a multiverse are communicated and how much they enhance the experience rather than drag it down with inconsistencies (a curse that the MCU is currently facing). 

I won't spoil the splendor of watching this film unfold before your eyes but believe me when I say that many a gobsmacking and surprising moment await you. There is almost a gleeful mischievousness to how the filmmaker's stimulate the senses; the mind; the utter love of film inherent in cinephiles! All is done with great reverence and yet never once does it feel stodgy, in fact, all these familiar worlds and ideas are given a much needed breathe of fresh air. Multiverse is a word that has been bandied around quite a bit in the last handful of years...but these people made that word have heft with a small budget. A truly impressive feat. 

And the cast...oh my, what a wonderful assortment of familiar faces and formidable new ones! Michelle Yeoh, as our lead, keeps her well-intentioned but emotionally detached character (Evelyn) well within the lines of likability despite the dubious place her choices have put her in.  The supporting cast are an absolute delight. From the cantankerous and rigid IRS auditor played by a chameleonic Jamie Lee Curtis to Evelyn's meek and supportive (to a fault) husband played by Ke Huy Quan (oh, how we missed thee) and all the way to relative newcomer Stephanie Hsu as Evelyn's daughter, whose light has been dimmed in the shadow of her mother's own personal burdens. 

Though it is vibrantly fast-moving, eye-poppingly creative, and strikingly unique, EEAAO truly is most triumphant for its ability to ground itself around themes of hope versus nihilistic hopelessness in the face of monstrously insurmountable chaos (personal or otherwise) and how both of these can spread and either enrich or drag down the lives of those around us. The manner in which this film unravels to craft a gorgeous and heartwarming resolution from the gleefully outrageous insanity it bombards you with throughout is a marvelous thing. Incredibly fulfilling. 

"Everything Everywhere All At Once" is a must see, through and through. 10/10