Hipnosis: Arma Invisible

Robert Rodriguez is an immensely gifted cinematographer and has quite a vivid imagination, and both of these great qualities are abundant in Hypnotic. It has a wonderfully clever concept that keeps the film watchable and subversive twists that keep the experience unique.

Sadly, what keeps this movie from being powerful and memorable is it's excessive reliance on exposition. So much of it is necessary to explain the overly complex plot and possibly over half of the dialogue is clumsily-written rapid-fire exposition. It just isn't fun.

And the script keeps us from forming any sort of emotional connection with this story because it's so concerned with explaining WHAT is happening that it forgets to let us in on the intimacies of WHY it's all happening-who these people are, really, and why we should care.

I find this to be a very frustrating film, because it had so much more potential than was tapped into by this extremely rough screenplay.

So about 20 minutes into this movie I thought it was terrible. Affleck's acting is particularly bad, and there's plot holes big enough to drive a bus through, and it just kind of felt like a bad movie that I'd suffer through till the end, but then something happened.... the "reveal" around the hour mark. Suddenly all those plot "holes" weren't actually plot holes, and Affleck's "bad" acting wasn't actually bad at all. That's the point. It's SUPPOSED to watch like a terrible movie because that sets up the reveal. I hate to say it, but that nuance once u know the reveal is kinda brilliant. Affleck in particular is acting badly... ON PURPOSE! And you're supposed to notice those plot holes and be like "Wait, how is that possible?". Those are the clues to the reveal.

So yeah, is it the best movie ever? No. But anyone writing a bad review (in particular criticizing Affleck's acting) just doesn't understand that that was the assignment.

This is a B movie all the way. It has Ben Affleck, but it's still a B movie. The budget was $70M but it's still a B movie. They really tried to create something creative, so I give them credit. That being said, it just didn't work. That's why the studio buried the investment.

Nolan likes to create extremely complex plots, with wild ideas that can alter time, space, perception, reality, memory and in this case the ability to control others thoughts thorough ESP.

It's just way to complex given the cast, locations and the overall premise. It's similar to SCANNERS from 1981. The idea is, but it lacks that 80s vibe, practical special effects and it's just confusing and too short given all there is to unpack. 5.2/10 for the idea and some clever scenes.

I watched an early screening of Hypnotic as part of Regal's Mystery Movie Monday. I did not know what movie I was going to watch. And I had never heard of Hypnotic or seen a trailer. This is as blind as I've ever gone into a movie.

Hypnotic is an interesting mystery with a cool premise. I enjoyed the story and the way it was told. I was mildly intrigued throughout. There are some really cool scenes with good visuals. And it has some compelling and creative ideas with how to use the premise.

At the same time, I wish I liked it more. Not everything works. A lot of it feels like it could have been done better. And I wasn't emotionally invested in the characters or the story. At times I felt like it should have been a streaming movie.

I still had a good time with Hypnotic and am glad I watched it. It's good for a one-time viewing. And it was cool to see Affleck and Fichtner in a movie together for the first time since Armageddon and Pearl Harbor.

(1 viewing, early screening Mystery Movie Monday 5/1/2023)

Mini review of Regal Cinema's Mystery Movie Monday:

I generally don't watch trailers and try to avoid every detail about any movie I plan on watching. I would even prefer not to know the actors and director. So when I heard about this, I was immediately interested. To watch a movie without knowing the genre or even the title?!?! I had to try it. Plus it's only $5.

Of course there is a risk of it being a movie I have no interest in. I don't mind if the movie ends up being bad, as long as it's something in the general range of what I go for. I got lucky with this one. I imagine I will not be pleased if it ends up being a chick flick.

My only problem with this experience is that, right before the movie started, the director has a voice over telling us the title, director and actors. He doesn't say what it's about, but he says something like, "get ready for the ##### and #####," which told me what I was in for.

I tried plugging my ears but I heard most of it. I wish the movie just started and let me find out who's in it and what I was in for.

Robert Rodriguez weaves a mesmerizing tale, shrouded in enigma, always keeping you on the edge of your seat. The truth dances just beyond your reach, as he deftly manipulates the story like a skilled magician. Admittedly, I've seen Ben Affleck deliver more captivating performances in other films. His innate charm remains partially hidden in this endeavor. Nonetheless, it remains an enthralling watch. Affleck portrays a cop haunted by the haunting disappearance of his daughter, a mystery that has plagued him for years. However, a string of daring bank heists propels him into a clandestine world of extraordinary individuals endowed with psionic powers, individuals who may hold the key to his daughter's fate. The film's convoluted twists and turns defy expectations, defying your attempts to unravel its secrets. Alice Braga mesmerizes with her portrayal, seamlessly embodying her character's essence. While I personally relish the challenge of deciphering the intricacies of a film's plot, Braga's character defies such expectations. She elucidates the intricate details, leaving little room for speculation. The veil of mystery is lifted, revealing the truth in stark clarity. Character development takes a backseat as the narrative unfurls, for we are explicitly informed of the events as they unfold. Nevertheless, JD Pardo, as Nicks, delivers a compelling performance, leaving us yearning to witness him take the lead in future endeavors. Affleck, in his portrayal of Danny Rourke, showcases unwavering strength, anchoring the film with his solid presence. The twists and turns of the story remain delightfully elusive, avoiding the trap of predictability that often plagues such tales. In comparison to its 2021 namesake, this film shines brightly, offering a far superior experience. I sincerely recommend embarking on this mysterious journey.