[Review] Bad Times At The El Royale (7/10)

Title - Bad Times At The El Royale
Studio - 20th Century Fox
Starring - Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson, Cynthia Erivo, Nick Offerman, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman, Chris Hemsworth
Writer - Drew Goddard
Director - Drew Goddard
Release - 5 October 2018

Following up his sleeper hit The Cabin In The Woods, Drew Goddard continues to show what he has to offer as a director. He did not disappoint.

Even though the second act was a bit of a slow burn, but thinking back, every scene had a purpose and reason that helped build the third act.

Goddard also has an eye for creating a narrative and dialogue for his characters, on top of creating a mood and an overall tone for the movie. Just by having Cynthia Erivo do a few a cappella numbers was enough to show who this character was and the notion of struggles she was facing.

Erivo was the breakout star here. Her every expression helped move the plot along as the audience was able to read her emotions. And her singing was top notched.

It was also fun to see Chris Hemsworth create another character that was very unexpected, but right up his alley as a performer. This is the second time Hemsworth collaborated with Goddard, and both times the characters fate in the story held a significant turn plot point.

Jeff Bridges and Jon Hamm were equally reat. Dakota Johnson, on the other hand, worked sometimes and at other times, her acting felt out of place. I still do not understand her appeal as an actress.

Lewis Pullman, son of Bill Pullman, was also another surprise hit. He was so good here that I hope to see more of him in other projects.

Goddard's humour once again played an important role when levity was needed. But his tenion-building and character revelation, layer by layer, were the driving force. However, there were perhaps one-too-many flashbacks or a perspective shifts. By the last one I was a little tired of it, even though it was the most important one, too.

Goddard is tasked next with X-Force, which may or may not happen after the Fox merger with Disney.