Review of Downsizing (2017) by Ken D — 16 Feb 2018

Hmm where to start. A brilliant concept which takes science and mixes it with fiction. So I guess this makes it science fiction? But it also has comedy moments, followed by deep thought provoking themes that delve into morality, dignity, poverty, culminating in stupidity.

It's as if in scripting the film the writers took all the ideas that were punted during the concept meeting, developed fifty ideas about where the film should go and what it's theme should be, chose a really good solid idea, but then chucked that out and said, "fek it! Let's go with all of em!" So what you're left with is a film that jumps from one theme to another, teasing you with a concept, before moving onto another one by jumping into a totally new genre. It's kinda like what would happen if Bill & Ted had an Excellent Adventure into film making.

Somehow you keep watching, because, at this point you can see that the comedy element has gone, now it's a love story, but with an Armageddon lurking in the distance, so now it's a disaster movie? Comedy, drama, love story, thriller, disaster? Please just pick one already and move on. Now I'm wondering if I can leave this theatre and sneak into the one next door.

But you're still hooked and you check your watch thinking "there's ten minutes left, surely the twist is about to happen?".......then the end credits roll and you're wishing you watched this on a Tuesday courtesy of Alexander Meerkat. At least that way you wouldn't have wasted £20+ watching this film. Except, that was just what you spent at the concessions stall. Does anyone actually call it a concessions stall? Anyway the nachos with cheese sauce and a million jalapeños, large popcorn and warm fizzy liquid brown sugar tub had a better ending than this film, cus at least it left you with some satisfaction and a full stomach. I don't know anyone who could eat that many jalapeños btw!".

Worth watching if you like Matt Damon and you want to be disappointed by a film with as much direction as a broken compass in a tornado. Better still, a Shark Tornado!

I give this film 2 stars, because it started off great, but ended like American trousers.