"Tenet": Movie Review
Written By Alex Greenbaum
Overambitious proclivities and a lifeless script hamper a hair raising spectacle that Christopher Nolan ("Dark Knight", "Momento", "Insomnia") has become so increasingly adept at. Nolan's writing sadly becomes exposed to the complete and utter hollowness it ultimately represents, stripping away its extravagance for nothing more than a facade. Brilliant production design, and engaging acting aside, "Tenet" is nothing more than a circus act.
An unknown and unnamed protagonist (John David Washington) attempts to uncover and kill the time-bending terrorists who plan to destroy the planet.
Character arcs, coherent plot lines, and convincing (or even audible) dialogue are often absent in Nolan's world of filmmaking. Since "Dark Knight Rises" Nolan has inconceivably ignored the necessary implementation of an involving script, relying heavily upon an unnecessary amount of pounding bass along with beautiful landscapes for purely entertainment purposes.
Bad writing aside (and believe me, there is plenty of it) Washington, Robert Pattinson, and Elizabeth Debicki elevate what could've been a miserable expedition, to something brimming with charm and wit. While this wears out its welcome in its frustrating climax and abrupt end, "Tenet" always finds a way to exhilarate.
Big explosive set pieces and an inclination to use practical effects add to its grandiose presentation and slick set design. Without the experience and effect of its 70mm IMAX cameras, "Tenet" (much like "Dunkirk") fails to impress, making the IMAX viewing mandatory. It's a necessary flaw as the gorgeous locations of Denmark, Italy, India, Norway, and more are put on a chillingly grand display throughout.
A lengthy 150 minute run time reveals a slew of rugged edges, leaving me empty-handed as the credits rolled. Its complicated storyline, when dug deeper, is nothing short of generic which left me numb to any deeper substance. When all is said and done, "Tenet" is a big-budget, brainless Hollywood film, disguised as an intelligent science fiction feast.
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