Asteroid City's consistency is easy to take for granted. Its intentionally cold script depicts how we create order to escape the alienation of the infinite unknown. Its meta framing devices and rigid characters serve this theme. It's more cerebral than openly emotional, but the mind's futile attempts to master the heart is a core message. Characters admit they detach to avoid grief. These layers go even deeper as the actors play characters within characters. Dialogue is rhythmic, payoff creates bookends, and humor comes from existential contradictions. Its interpretability may be frustrating and its drama is buried under symbolism, but Asteroid City reaches for significant meaning.
Technically, Asteroid City is pristine. Its imagery uses aspect ratios, color, lighting, composition, oners, and angles. The charismatic production design creates artistic, detailed, and vibrant realities. Its cast is all-star. The effects utilize miniatures, puppets, wires, makeup, and CGI for a distinct aesthetic. Its catchy music offers motifs, setting, needle drops, and diegetics. The editing provides patterns, chapters, split screens, restraint, and efficiency. Its sound is dry, simplistic, and clear (with gags, split cuts, and quiet). The meticulous direction produces offbeat genres, tones, and tension. Overall, Asteroid City complements its perfected style with eccentric emotions.
Writing: 8/10
Direction: 10/10
Cinematography: 10/10
Acting: 8/10
Editing: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Production Design: 10/10
Casting: 10/10
Effects: 9/10
Overall Score: 9.0/10
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