Or Utopia

Or Utopia is a fascinating character study set against a kaiju backdrop. A group of hotel residents have been left behind after the city has been overrun by giant monsters and the rest of the guests are evacuated by the military. They are forced to come to grips with their situation and with each other as it turns into a two year stay.

What sets this apart is that it is very similar to a stage play with everybody confined within the hotel and, in fact, the rampaging monsters are never actually seen. More Samuel Beckett than Ishiro Honda those expecting a CGI fest will be disappointed but, like Cloverfield, the emphasis is on the survivors of the initial attack over the destruction to the world which is actually a worthy take on these sorts of films. Director Yunsoo Kim manages to keep things interesting although at over two hours it does get draggy (so to speak) as many of the characters are unpleasant and can get you your nerves with such focused attention on them.

A quality addition to the kaiju universe although it might disappoint the more thrill seeking aficionados but I found it an intriguing stretch to what is possible within a constrained and often overworked genre.

I really loved this film. All the characters were "real people" - I don't have to love characters to be riveted by them. I really loved how well this was thought out, each act in it's order to make a great whole. This film really stuck with me, and I think I will watch it again and again. I need to see if I can purchase it somewhere. The whole premise with the things outside as a vehicle for the things inside was very clever when presented in this particular package, even though it's bee done many times.

Definitely a keeper for me, it really took my fancy, especially the ending! I need one more sentence to get the required verbiage, so here it is.

This gem of a movie on Amazon Prime pleasantly filled a Sunday afternoon for me. The juxtaposition of a mundane normality against an unknown ever-present horror outside leads to a bizarre intimacy with the characters.

Don't expect jumps and monsters around every corner, as a previous reviewer said, it is more like a Beckett play than Cloverfield...but like a Beckett play, you will leave it feeling as though you've gotten a glimpse into inner workings of life: that finding meaning and happiness is possible if amidst the horror of the outside world, you instead create your own, with the people you meet, through finding and being your true self.

Definitely one I will be recommending to friends who might appreciate it.