Don't Look Up - A Netflix Movie Review

I have some advice for you. If you don’t want the world to end then don’t look up.

Crashlanding onto Netflix in 2021, Don’t Look Up follows two astronomers who discover that a deadly comet is hurtling towards the earth. Feverishly running to the president and all sorts of media, they are not taken seriously about the demise of the earth in six months.

The first piece of advice that I have about Don’t Look Up is that it’s not meant to be taken seriously. It’s a satire. A look into politics and the chaotic world of social media, I had mixed feelings about Don’t Look Up.

The cast of Don’t Look Up was fully aware that they were making a satire. That’s what makes it funnier. Leonardo DiCaprio had the best performance. Before filming, he met with an astronomer to understand the science behind the job. In one scene, he really let's loose his rage in a well-acted rant. He put himself into the moment in all of his scenes.

Jennifer Lawrence is another exception. Sarcasm is Kate’s main trait. DiCaprio and Lawrence worked well together. You could really feel the steam whistling through their ears the more nobody takes them seriously.

Don’t Look Up has a big cast of actors. Meryl Streep plays the President of the United States. She has a fun time with the role. Other credits include Cate Blanchett, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothee Chalomet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, and more.

Knowing full well that this film is a satire, actors' reactions and deliveries were over-the-top. I liked the ideas and interpretations the cast thought up.

Some even tested different ranges that we’ve seen - like Perry and Rylance. I enjoyed Hill’s performance, in a mix of comedy and getting on your nerves with his own sarcasm.

A few of the characters got on my nerves, like Grande, but it was mainly to go along with the humorous tone of the film. Grande also shows off her talented voice in a concert sequence.

Social media institutes a high focus. If we don’t already know it, we depend on social media way too much. The cinematography and editing were done well. For only a brief period, the world of space is given exciting focus and visuals. Even the way the camera concentrated on space study was cool.

I never realized until reading behind-the-scenes fun facts that hair and makeup had a prominent job in the film. Hair plays a substantial trait among all the characters.

To me, the film came off as annoying more than funny. Of course, it’s all based on how you view it. Adam McKay poked fun at the world. I like the direction he gave to the cast. The final scene didn’t feel necessary at all, mainly trying to gain one final laugh.

Whether it was intentional or not, an element that the story dealt with focused on mental health. Looking after your mental health is very important. The ending was also my favorite with the family sitting around the table and talking during a crucial moment.

Filming was actually delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Suffices to say, this sequence mirrors how important it is for families to connect with one another. Don’t Look Up pokes fun at political satire. The film is more about the cast than the story which I honestly found boring.

Not all audiences will like Don’t Look Up. It all depends on how you view it. If you want to take a look at it, watch Don’t Look Up on Netflix.