Picture
if you will sitting in a darkened theatre with your buttery popcorn and
favorite soda …relaxing and enjoying the latest cinematic feature but you
feeling there’s an unsettling presence near you …around you …then suddenly, the
darkness gradually fades to light and you realize there’s someone …something
who looks exactly like you.
Are you absolutely certain that you are the REAL
you? Are you sure there isn't another you out there somewhere ...waiting to take your place?
Think
about those questions for a minute or two, blogspot readers, while SouthSide cues
the famous Twilight Zone theme music.
Welcome
to Jordan Peele’s latest cinematic piece simply titled – Us, a somewhat
follow-up to his breakout hit, Get Out, but as a sophomoric film, it nearly
lives up to what Get Out was …yes, blogspot readers, believe the hype.
If
you’re a fan of the Twilight Zone series, you know each episode presents itself
with a rather calm and “nothing is about to happen yet” sequences until you
reach the middle of the story. Well, blogspot readers, that’s how Jordan Peele
sets up Us for you. We meet the average Black American family spending bright
sunny days at their vacation home in Santa Cruz …sandy beaches, roaring
seashore and lively boardwalk complete with games and carnival rides. All seems
“normal” about this family - dad Gabe
Wilson (Winston Duke from Black Panther) cracks a lot of the typical “dad”
jokes and is seriously loving his new speedboat, daughter Zora (Shahadi Wright
Joseph) is a typical teen who has unbelievably unlimited battery power for her
phone since she spends part of the vacation on it more than SouthSide’s own teen,
son Jason (Evan Alex) is quite the handful with his smart-alecky mouth but the
only who seems out of place is mom Adelaide {Lupita Nyong’o also from Black
Panther) because of a tragic childhood event that keeps haunting her. They are
joined by their White counterparts the Tylers (Elisabeth Moss and Tim
Heidecker) and their twin daughters. Again …all seems “normal” except for that
other family …”what other family?” you might ask. Well, that where the “normal”
ends and the real Twilight Zone-like nightmare begins, blogspot readers.
Without giving too much away, blogspot readers, let’s just this other family
dressed in red are willing to do anything to replace and be you.
SouthSide’s
not about to reveal all of Jordan Peele’s secrets held within Us. However, she
highly recommends checking out this wild rollercoaster ride that will have your
heart pounding in time with the creepy music or laughing at the Winston Duke’s
corniness as the one person who would rather stay than leave to escape the
strange doppelgangers who have invaded their home and tried to “replace” them
ie murder them in terrifying ways that only can come from the mind of Jordan
Peele. There are certain things …clues here and there tagged throughout the
movie just to give some idea what Us is about. The Bible verse Jeremiah 11:11
is among the other few. And, blogspot readers, don’t think you know what’s
going to happen next or second guess Jordan Peele while watching this movie
because you don’t and won’t. This writer/director is controlling all of the
horizontal and vertical as well as diluting you will and will not see for the
rest of the movie. In other words, shut off the brain …Jordan Peele has
rewritten all pre-existing horror movie rules for a movie that truly doesn’t
have any horror movie rules. For example, you might think there’s a moment of
relief and calm, ha …Jordan Peele takes that
and you for a loop to another unexpected horror tense scene after
another like the Nutcracker dance/fight scene between Adelaide and her
doppelganger – was that ever intense and very well-choreographed as each
movement is performed in time with the music. Oh speaking of music, SouthSide
will never listen to The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” the same way ever again.
Not saying it’s a bad thing but when you see Us, you will understand what she’s
saying. Loved a touch of NWA’s iconic song, “Fuck the Police” to really add to
the moment. Now, is Us better than Get Out? Honestly, this latest movie ranks
up there but not as great as Get Out. Us has its mixed moments of humor and
horror as well as an interesting, thought-provoking premise what it’s about
…especially the twisted, fucked-up, mind blown ending that only Jordan Peele
could surprise us with like any other Twilight Zone episode.
Never expected or
saw that coming. Mind was totally blown.
Cue
the Twilight Zone theme music one more time, blogspot readers, that’s how you
will feel once you have reached the credits …do take time to process what you
just saw …probably will have to repeat to process Us some more.
SouthSide
plans to see it again. Just can’t keep this blogger from a heart-pounding,
thrill ride like Us. And yes Jordan, you have her permission to use that quote.
Until
next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide
