Release date May 19th 2022 (Hong Kong)
Directors Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Screenplay: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
A newer type of movie where conflict rages along parallel universes, with inventive stunning set pieces that defy reality, packed with action sequences, and a main character who gets to experience different variations of their own life is one that is both exhilarating and entertaining to watch. Coupled with a screenplay centered on the redemptive power of love, struggle and self-sacrifice takes story telling to a new level.
The Movie “Everything, Everywhere, All the time,” is a very inventive, creative and unashamedly chaotic movie with its implementation of very complex concepts and characters where it successfully puts all of these elements together to deliver a film that is smart, engaging, and emotionally satisfying in telling of a story from beginning to end. This movie is proof positive that its still possible to produce something original, and when a really good script is put into the hands of a talented, capable director then good things can happen; especially in this day in age where a lot of movies in recent memory are either remakes, rehashed old contrived ideas, predictable, boring story-lines to which has lost its appeal to main stream audiences. This movie is not only a departure from the old stagnant ways of Hollywood production cookie cutter templates but a refreshing approach to story telling in film itself. Also adding is the great cast that was assembled for this wildly spectacular movie, such as Michell Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ke Huy Quan, and legendary James Hong as well as other notable actors playing supportive roles, to which all execute their respective roles in this story to perfection that ultimately leaves a lasting impression on its audience long after the movie has ended.
The movie’s story centers on a middle aged woman named Evelyn who emigrated from China to America when she was a child. Now in the midst of a mid life crisis, Evelyn is struggling with life issues by being over worked and stressed while trying to balance family issues, and the disillusionment of being betrayed by her own dreams of being successful.
As a result, she becomes increasingly distant from her own teenage daughter, an unhappy marriage, and unsuccessful business which coincidentally adding to her angst is also being audited by the IRS. Life all around her in her view causes her to be withdrawn and hopeless at times where dealing with the inter-generational conflict, and having regrets about making better decisions in her earlier years to which maybe might have her on a different path in life all contribute to the character traits that a lot of ordinary people can relate to.
Evelyn’s life suddenly changes when her estranged husband, the protagonist played by Ke Huy Quan, reveals that he is a secret agent Kong Fu master that pulls her into multiple universes with different realities. When a brief interlude to the chaos pauses to a private moment between him and Evelyn, he takes advantage of this moment to calm her anxieties as he begins to explain to Evelyn of all the endless possibilities made by different choices, all at different times were in fact different realities of existence all throughout history. At some point when Evelyn processes this complex notion, she then discovers that she is able to access the memories of her many characters and realizes that she can also take control of them too.
The story then takes on new meaning when Evelyn discovers there is a sinister version of herself that is currently hunting down her many characters and destroying everything in her path with the intent to ultimately destroy the metaverse itself. The antagonist thus then becomes Evelyn’s singular purpose of finding and stopping her before she can succeed with her dark evil plans. As a result Evelyn’s many life incarnations, starts to acquire new skills such as Kung Fu, increased lung capacity, being able to fight blind, etc., before the movie crescendo’s to a fantastic conclusion where she confronts her evil nemesis. In the process of living all of these of different versions of herself, Evelyn begins to question her own decisions, and what she has gotten wrong, as well as the values of her own life, and at the same time providing moments of reprieve while trying to connect with her daughter and loved ones that gives Evelyn’s character redemptive value.
The movie is not suppose to be taken seriously as some science fiction thriller such as what “inception” or what other some time traveler movies with complex time plots to consider are about, but rather it is a stylistic metaphor in looking at family conflicts that bring both a tinge of humor and thought provoking aspects in how we deal within our own complex lives in a different way. “Everything, Everywhere, All the time” is a crazy, wildly creative movie that takes us on this spectacular journey, which proves what the medium of film-making is still capable of. It’s a fantastic movie that offers dynamic characters that audiences can relate to, and at the same time is brilliantly written with intelligently well placed humor played by legendary actors that not only get to show their true talents but shine in ways they have never before been able to. Given the right tools to work with, is proof positive that such actors can indeed tap into their unrealized potential and this movie with all involved in the making of it certainly proves that to be true.
If you are looking for something that is not the same tired super hero genre or stilted predictable action movies, then “Everything, Everywhere, All the time” has it all and much, much, more. Action, humor, and a captivating riveting story that ties it all together to deliver an sitting on the edge of your seat type of movie that not only captivates your attention to the very end, but will also have you thinking about different concepts on a cerebral level long after the movie has ended. I gave this move a 5 star rating based on stylistic integrity, great acting, strong production values, and original story telling that makes for a complete film, something that is rare to see these days coming from Hollywood produced movies, and thus makes this film a refreshing one to watch.