Tenet Review
Christopher Nolan’s most recent film, “Tenet,” follows the “the protagonist” (John David Washington), a young spy who is trying to keep humanity from being annihilated. In this movie world, a dangerous invention known as time inversion gives a cynical branch of mankind the opportunity to wreak havoc. In turn, the future affects the past, making an unprecedented struggle all the more inevitable. In classic fashion, an epic journey ensues while the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
“Tenet” has the distinction of being a unique cinematic beast. On one hand, it’s a continuation of Nolan’s foray into science fiction. On the other hand, it’s the closest he’s ever gotten to making a James Bond movie. While “Inception” melded the espionage and sci-fi worlds, it was, at it’s core, a heist film largely detached from the quintessential spy world. “Tenet,” however, is a spy movie through and through, continuing Nolan’s utilization of smart yet popular sandbox filmmaking. Like Stanley Kubrick before him, Nolan has the ultimate backing of Warner Brothers. No expenses have been spared, and as a result, Nolan’s creativity is matched by his ambition yet again.
“Tenet” is another reminder of how much Nolan has grown on the action front. In the film, the staging of conflicts is massively immersive. Much thought and movement define each conflict, giving off clear communication that a fully realized world has been constructed. The locations are broad and exotic, creating a global identity that reinforces the unprecedented stakes. The early action, while not as flashy as other spy films, is quick and decisive, upping the main character’s credibility every step of the way.
While there are explosions, shots fired, and punches thrown, the film is largely focused on suspense and the disruption of ordinary existence. Nolan, one of cinema’s greatest intellectuals, puts immense thought into his films, especially the original concepts generated out of his thought process. Here, it’s mind numbing to think about the planning and conception that went into the time inversion scenes. They are carefully orchestrated, bringing out subtle shades of horror and large amounts of detail.
As a central performer, John David Washington’s willingness to engage in physical activity is admirably cinematic. His character’s journey becomes defined by a mixture of strategic brilliance and superior athleticism, making the overall arc uniquely satisfying. This journey is enhanced by Kenneth Branagh’s baddie, who is barbaric and venomous. While the character possesses traces of simplistic evil, he is brought to life by Branagh’s dramatic tenacity. By the end of the film, it’s evident that Branagh has created another worthy bad guy, destined for memorability.
In terms of negatives, Nolan’s abundance of exposition knocks the world down a few notches. His universe is highly intriguing, but it would’ve thrived even more so if the dialogue scenes were delivered in a less explanatory manner. Also, when the big finale hits, “Tenet” has a lot going on, almost to the point of being overwhelming. The location has admirable scale and visuals, but the battle feels weightless in spots. Even though the characters fire weaponry, there’s not much of an emphasis toward the results that come with being around weapons of mass destruction.
Overall, “Tenet” is worth your time. Just like “Inception,” which has a wholly original sci-fi premise, it is unlike anything else and positions itself within the realm of rewatchable cinema. There’s a lot to unpack here, and in general, I suspect that viewers will be dissecting “Tenet” for a long time.
Verdict:
Very Good (Level 4)
