Codec: HEVC / H.265 (79.9 Mb/s)
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
#English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
#English: FLAC 2.0 (Commentary by director/writer Boots Riley)
The film’s visual style is what catches the eye of a casual viewer scrolling through a list of trailers and wondering how to liven up their evening. It’s a long-standing truism that the more eye-catching the packaging, the easier it is to draw in viewers. But credit is due to the director, who used this truth not merely as a way to grab attention, but as a character in its own right—one that plays a role in the plot from start to finish.
The vivid riot of colors leaves no one indifferent, no matter how shocking it may seem. The cinematography is dynamic; the camera angles alternate one after another and can sometimes create a dizzying effect, emphasizing the action’s momentum, while at other moments they evoke Wes Anderson.
The film is clearly divided into two parts, the first of which is introductory, slightly slow-paced, but more grounded in reality. It allows the viewer to become acquainted with and adjust to the surroundings and the characters, immerses them in the everyday life of this strange world, and satirizes the realities of modern life by taking them to extremes. The second part, however, shatters all boundaries and transports the viewer into a B-movie, veering into a comedy of the absurd with nonstop action. And this is fascinating to watch, as the film’s very style forces you to cast aside any pretense of serious interpretation and plunges you into the depths of pure enjoyment of the action. It’s as if Camus’s theory of the absurd were taken too literally, and every touch on the subject turns into outrageous irony.
The film’s message itself is also interesting. The director wants to convey that anyone can create, illustrating this through the lens of fashion. There shouldn’t be a single artist or creator who hogs all the limelight and takes over the entire industry, no matter how vibrant the colors may be. But all of this can also be reduced to an allusion to any creative milestone, where a budding artist tries to break through the thorns to the stars with shock value. These are precisely the words Boots Riley conveys through the main character, Corvette. And it’s hard to come up with something original these days: sometimes you have to steal, which is alluded to through the main character’s theft of clothing. At the same time, as in any creative endeavor, each character pursues her own goal in this creative battle.
As a result, while watching the film, the viewer feels as if they’ve stepped onto a ride. But it’s not like a roller coaster—it’s more like a hall of mirrors, where everything is illogical yet captivating. And the viewer must plunge into this turbulent sea themselves to understand whether they’ll enjoy being there or not.