They Cloned Tyrone

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 great, a blaxploitation throwback with a sci-fi twist that's a fun crowd pleaser but that doesn't stop it from pulling its punches. It's rightfully angry and finds inventive new ways to explore similar ideas to the ones present in Get Out and Sorry to Bother You.

John Boyega gets a role of surprising emotional heft, fully committed to the part(s) in a way that makes the more ridiculous reveals work without a second thought. Jamie Foxx is comedy gold here and Teyonah Parris brings both humour and humanity. Parris and Foxx have a extremely entertaining chaotic rapport that's a nice foil to Boyega's more serious presence.

Juel Taylor arrives with a fully formed directorial debut, a film with of past and present with authentic film grain and cigarette burns contrasted by vibrant neon. The music by Desmond Murray and Pierre Charles is also good at combining old and new with a score that feels ripped from the 70s with an added sci-fi edge.

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.

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.

I just read a review about people who give this film anything but a 1 either being family members etc etc. Quite the tirade.

With a third of their review concentrating on a child slurping a drink. That's their review.

This one is mine.

Look. This is quite a different output than your usual.

It is very much influenced by blaxploitation (and at the end that is the point) films and the modern revisionism of someone like Jordan Peale.

A completely off the wall plot that mixes multiple genres into one.

John Boyega is such a good actor. He really, really is.

With multiple roles, he manages them well.

Jamie Foxx adds silliness and humour to proceedings.

This isn't an Oscar winner. Nor is it garbage. It is just different.

I was engaged throughout the film.

To give you in a nutshell what to expect think Groundhog Day meets Invasion of the body snatchers, meets Nancy Drew meets Shaft meets Get Out meets Boyz n The Hood.

It's just a crazy mix which on the whole, IMHO, works.

And as to the title....it'll all make sense by the end.

And it lends itself to a sequel (which likely it will get).