They Cloned Tyrone

Fontaine (John Boyega) is a drug pusher working out of the black neighborhood known as The Glen. During his rounds of collecting money, he faces pimp Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) who tells Fontaine he was killed last night with his story corroborated by soon to be retired prostitute Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris). As Fontaine searches for answers with Charles and Yo-Yo reluctantly in tow, the three unearth a vast conspiracy with Fontaine's inexplicable reappearance only the tip of the iceberg.

They Cloned Tyrone is the newest film from Netflix and sees the streamer reteam with star Jamie Foxx having previously collaborated with him on Day Shift and Project Power. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Juel Taylor whose script co-written by Tony Rettenmainer was featured on the 2019 Black List of best unproduced screenplays and was acquired by Netflix for their streaming service. The movie has received critical acclaim and rightfully so because They Cloned Tyrone is an engaging sit featuring an unexpected mash-up of unique elements that collect together into a mostly satisfying whole.

What makes the film so engaging from the outset is definitely our three leads played by John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris who are so good dramatically and comedically in the first 20 minutes that they could've served as full characters for a straight drama if the movie were so inclined. Once we get the shift into high concept with Fontaine getting shot, the movie creates a fantastic hook with a really unique mystery that I can't go into full detail without spoiling. The filmmakers have cited films like They Live and Groundhog Day as influences upon the film and you can definitely see that from the mixture of social satire and genre thrills that does match the approach of They Live while also containing similar character dives like Groundhog Day. We also have a bit of a Cabin in the Woods type scenario with They Cloned Tyrone very much being a deconstruction of blaxsploitation in the same way that film was to horror films. The movie delivers some really exciting and thrilling moments, but I did feel like the film maybe began to stall a little in the third act where it felt like it lost momentum as well as that balance of humor and social satire. While the third act is still very enjoyable especially in regards to the climax, I did feel like the movie maybe revealed a major cameo a little sooner than it should've and made the momentum slightly less smooth.

They Cloned Tyrone is a fantastic debut film for Juel Taylor and with a clever script and a likable set of characters played by strong performances this is definitely one to see. I did feel like the film might've peaked a little too early with the third act losing the sharpness we saw earlier in the runtime, but this is still a movie that deserves your time and attention.

This Blaxploitation sci-fi comedy is clearly among the more fun, inventive films that Netflix has decided to pick up. The grainy visual texture, the funky costumes and hairdos, the energetic soundtrack, and much of the film's aesthetics are carefully designed to remind us of some of the finest entries in the Blaxploitation subgenre. The setting could be somewhere in or around 2008, as we still see picture-tube TVs, CDs being sold, mentions of Obama, and Blockchain being the future (LOL!). The absence of smartphones is also a notable aspect. Yet, even with the aesthetics already standing out and a pretty exciting (and potentially scary) sci-fi plot on the cards, it's the lead trio's performances and fun camaraderie that holds it together.

The revelations keep coming, but it's the banter between Boyega's Fontaine, Teyonah Parris' Yo-Yo, and Jamie Foxx's Slick Charles that keeps you entertained and invested in their fates. After the first hour, there were moments in the screenplay where it could've all looked and sounded artificial. However, director Juel Taylor keeps the conspiracy theories coming, complemented by wonderful production design work and sustained focus on the protagonist's journey. The finale (++the eventual antagonist reveal) is somewhat tepid when compared to the rest of the film, and it may also seem 10-15 minutes too long for the story it has to say, though I'll definitely recommend They Cloned Tyrone if you're an enjoyer of absurdist humour.

I live in Montgomery Alabama and usually we don't get nothing here. But our local theatre had They Cloned Tyrone for the weekend, and I'm glad I got to see it in a theatre with an audience.

I'm excited for this new director, Juel Taylor, and want to see more. We are entering a time where anyone can do what Tarantino did. Thanks to streaming there are so many films that if you want to see them, they're there. The film has got so many references. The script is funny. Filled with references for all. Be it comparing someone to the bad guy on Spongebob, to the carpet from the Overlook Hotel. There were several Kubrick references all throughout the film. I'm sure there were some I missed as well.

Additionally, I'm pretty sure the clones in how they were held was a reference to "V". Really the set design, was solid. You could tell the budget was well spent. Lighting and cinematography helped to pull it together.

I like John Boyega. He's a good lead. Having seen him in this, as well as Attack the Block this past weekend, we see this tough guy. But I think one of the reasons he's in demand is because he is also vulnerable. The scenes where he's partnered with a child playing with juice boxes, it's nice to see a tough guy that way.

Jamie Foxx. I wish that guy the best. He's flashy and comedic. He steps aside for Boyega to be the lead because he's smart, and knows that his role has the best lines.

The stand-out, who we're going to want to see more from is Teyonah Parris. She does not play a victim despite being called a "Ho" multiple times in the movie. She's both smart and adorable at the same time. When they're hiding out in her childhood room, again the set design and script give space to the character and she runs with it.

The film is fun. The film is science fiction.

IF you are a Kubrick fan you'll enjoy it on that level. If you like movies where people get to be goofy, you'll enjoy it on that level..

There are some parts with the drama, and conspiracy where it was hard to switch hats. Because there is some plot that is dropped in there to tie it all together. So if there is something missing it is some of that evenness of story development.

HOWEVER I get it. The visuals are strong, and if I was a director wanting to bring a comedy in on time that's what I'd probably slip on as well, as it is a fun film over-all.

The film reminded me of The Killing and I'm looking forward to more from Taylor.

I'm glad the new technology is there and we got new directors who reflect that. Give them space.

Lovers of Jordan Peele's off-centre take on Black cinema should like co-writer (with Tony Rettenmaeir) / director Juel Taylor's comic-thriller "They Cloned Tyrone". Hard-ass drug dealer John Boyega, flamboyant pimp Jamie Foxx & sassy ho Teyonah Parris (terrific) discover a sinister plot (led by Kiefer Sutherland... or is it?) to experiment on & control all the folk in their run-down 'hood... and they fight back against it. Initially darkly stylish it soon becomes too silly, before deeper undertones emerge. Taylor's ambition can't be faulted, but he may have bitten off a little more than the average audience can chew on here. He is however, clearly one to watch out for.

They Cloned Tyrone is one of the best movies I've seen in awhile. They filled up those two hours with so much fun, comedy, drama, suspense and action! This movie Felt like a great mashup of Black Dynamite and Us.

I thought the cinematography was on point, it wasnt the typical normal settings on a camera. It looks like they put some thought to it being that it was like a sci fi horror flick, I think that the grainy hazy dark filters capture that mood.

The social commentary was hilarious and tragic at the same time, but never felt ham-fisted or overbearing. Exposed some real life issues.

I think this film was executed well and the plot never felt force. Definitely worth watching.