Knives Out

One of the last movie mania crazes of last year and into the early part of this before Covid-19 ground everything to a halt was this - the self-claimed revamping and re-imagining of a classic whodunit: Knives Out.

Thing is - to my mind it actually was. Stylish, intuitive, original, genuinely twisty and turny, very cleverly conceived and executed, hilarious at times too, with an awesome cast to boot. 

There isn't really much to say here except - watch the damn thing. I'm sorry I only just got around to watching it on DVD.

Nothing is too overdone, nothing too over-pitched or executed to such a degree that it boggles the mind of the viewer and you just get tired of watching it. However that does not mean you can afford to be complacent, for this film does not treat its viewers like idiots either - you have to be on your toes with this one. Yet the feel of the action, the murder and the mystery is not pompous and grandiose like some mystery genre films of old have been, nor is it that melodramatic, though its themes and characters are colourful to say the least. However the effect is pleasantly warm and reassuring, as this film guides you with a helping hand through the action as far as you need to go to enjoy the ride of what I feel is one of the most originally done films in years.

My only criticism is that of its incredible roster of acting talent - some of them (some, but not all) are slightly and rather criminally underused. However each of them slots into their role small or large with aplomb and just the right amount of flare. Ana de Armas is a new face to me and a pleasantly brilliant one, and it is nice to see Chris Evans carving up a superb character other than Cap. America. However the star turn for me by a mile is the irrepressible Daniel Craig as the brilliantly pitched and at times hilariously eccentric "master detective" of the piece. It's worth watching it just for him in his tweed suit and Kentucky accent, and I am not at all surprised to hear rumour has it that he is returning for a potential sequel.

Frivolous, feisty, frantic and a lot of fun - Knives Out has genuinely ripped up the rule book of the classic whodunit and has set a new standard for all those who seek to try hereafter.