Sure, character development was fast because it had to be. I think they did the whole Lee and Jessie dynamic particularly well

I think the key quote is we shouldn't go over there they don't want us to depict what they are doing. Its about the balance of those that do want depictions of what they are doing. Smiling on camera, explaining why they are shooting vs those willing to kill them and bury them in a ditch. The only true bad guys being viewed as plemons. Also the only ones they use violence on. I feel the man who can't walk well or run running over Plemons character with a truck labeled press makes it very clear lol messaging to me. As does her literally transferring out of the press truck into the other truck.

And for the record I don't think it's necessarily bad that this film doesn't pick a side. I am choosing to view it as a staunch anti-war piece that tells the story through the lens of some of the most humane people left in a wartorn society

Which to me in itself is a clear message. If both sides are pro war. Then there is no real side to take there.

Its purposeful that he knows it can only be a considered a blockbuster and sell or be big budget with the amount of death and war required. America itself is the same way.

I think the title and the trailer being pretty misleading is rubbing people the wrong way - almost as if they're going into it looking for a side onto which to latch. And maybe what they saw made them a bit uncomfortable; as you said, there is no side to take, just the reality of a society that has had the humanity ripped out of it by war.

Off topic and probably goes without saying but this should definitely be locking up an Oscar nomination for best sound

Real I mean I think that is the only thing I can tell it fully does perfectly. As the review I posted mention it has hints of Children of Men without landing fully. In being a blockbuster it feels like it didn't want to hit too hard at either side or even any of the groups I list.

I am also confused on why or if there is a reasoning they pushed the green figures imagery as if we are all pawns or toys

Lmfao yeah it honestly comes off as some sort of elaborate troll after viewing

I heard this an apolitical liberal mess

Also possible reach but I think

the mentor dying while the next takes a photo is reflective of one president dying and passing the torch to the other or inauguration

Parts of it are definitely messy. To fully land what many want of it would have to touch closer to 3 hours

It's an Alex Garland project, anyone expecting anything close to perfection is either unfamiliar with his work or a delusional fool

what a picture

Also there was a key reason he executed him for being a Hong Kong journalist

High key I thought it was just racism he asked the two white women and seemed very satisfied with them even calling them all American but he was even ready to shoot down Joel cause he had an accent and was clearly Hispanic. Also noticed how many bodies in the pile were POC. His character seemed more like an opportunist racist, militant inspired rather then on any side

"The full expression, I'm from Missouri and you'll have to show me, dates from about 1880. Some authorities believe it alludes to the Missouri Compromise of 1820, whereby Missouri was admitted to the Union as a slave state and slavery was forbidden in certain other areas, but the connection, if any, is not clear."

Garland kind of hid some meaning in each of their locations

Colorado - Most of her state is neutral but she isn't
Missouri - Show me State
Hong Kong- Feuded with China and major protest in 2020
Florida- A state we every election say should be separated from the USA florida man stories and the idea they are all idiots

But yes a white woman journalist crawling on the bodies of minorities from an above view was crazy iconic

saw it last night . very stricking movie.
last part was a bit delusional in terms of journalists ducking bullets and easily taking amazing shots but overall a good cinema
also music selection was the highlight for me, combined with those brutal scenes - eerie

and I got that.

I don't like how this movie is trying to have it both ways. If it truly wants to be apolitical, what's the point of even hinting at the political issues? why even allow the audience to question why things are happening?

Need to watch this and Challengers

fair enough. I'm not trying to nitpick the marketing.

That whole white house sequence felt off for me compared to the rest of the film

It nearly feels like people don’t truly remember why it started in a seussian way like the battle of buttering bread on the wrong side that’s the horror of it and I by their flags are near the same