REVIEW: GLASS ONION - A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

4/5

Knives In. 

139 Mins. Starring: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Noah Segan, Jackie Hoffman, Dallas Roberts, Kate Hudson & Dave Bautista. Director: Rian Johnson. 

Motown's finest Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell once told us, "the world is just a great big onion". But 'The Onion Song' in this 'Knives Out Mystery' is the 'Glass Onion' John and Paul sang about. The Beatles aren't a clue, so save your tears. Now Netflix has acquired 'Star Wars-The Last Jedi' and 'Looper' director Rian Johnson's 'Knives Out' franchise and Daniel Craig's post-007, world's greatest detective Benoit Blanc, a new game is afoot. Take that, Poirot! And overlooking an infinity pool with a glass of his poison. Steeped in a blue and white striped one-piece that could even rival his blue speedo beginnings as Bond. 

Craig shakes it up with a licence to thrill after stirring us as Ian Fleming's famous James. Now with another Herculean role that could rival Hercule's handlebar moustache, we must ask you. Shaken or stirred? Which one do you prefer? Because this might just be his next iconic, perfect part that could last for years and years now Rian's been given the Netflix big bucks. Whilst we're all busy wondering whether a 'Luther-an' will be the next spy on Her Majesty's (rest peacefully our Queen) Secret Service, Craig has given us an accented Blanc slate. No s###, Sherlock! 

Whodunnit is what we all ask though. In this 'Knives Out' sequel 'Glass Onion', that is as different and extravagant as Kenneth Branagh's own 'Murder On The Orient Express' Agatha Christie follow-up 'Death On The Nile'. The ostentatious beginnings at first are off-putting in these lifestyles of the rich and famous. But the epic end made up for all of their spoils. Just how the gaudy Gatsby party starting of Baz Luhrmann's remake adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's sacred text gave way to some definitive DiCaprio drama by the third act. But let's get back on the case. 

Chocked full of a box of chocolate worth of cameos, you never know who you're going to get (no, not him, sadly). And with so much to go around, you won't know who has blood on their hands like Colonel Mustard in this Cluedo. Shout out to Jeremy Renner's secret sauce though (the only thing we'll spoil), just so we can say get well soon to the official strongest Avenger, wishing him a speedy recovery. Blanc staying at home with the ultimate, perfect surprise in this masked-up, but unsanitized COVID movie, even has a who's who, Zoom friends list. Detecting all the great writers. From a Los Angeles Laker NBA legend, no stranger to Sherlock fiction. To two late, legendary figures this movie pays tribute to in inspiration. 

Easter eggs, hidden clues and so much more reveal themselves as we break and peel back this 'Glass Onion', layer by shard. But guess who's coming to Edward Norton's (so good at signature slime) Elon Musk like repugnant character's dinner? As the great Jackie Hoffman, Dallas Roberts and Noah Segan, channelling the lazy song of Brad Pitt's scene stealing 'True Romance' cameo all make small, but significant roles to this call. But how about those entitled to make a killing? Leslie Odom Jr. knows all about this having been witness to a murder most foul on the 'Orient Express'. Whilst Kathryn Hahn knows how to hide in plain sight following her scene stealing in 'WandaVision'. Add Kate Hudson, bringing signature screams back like a siren, and Netflix underrated actress of the decade Jessica Henwick in assistance, and now it's a party. 

Especially with Dave Bautista shooting from the hip with an even more character revealing Madelyne Cline coming out in her own, by his side. But for all the players here, it's musician, author (thanks for the signed copy of her short stories, my bestie) and 'Hidden Figures' standout Janelle Monáe who truly owns this. Crashing and crushing everything. We really hope the show goes on with even more all-star casts for this franchise. Netflix have one more in the bank and Johnson and Craig are all in for long as each other is. Get out your good silverware. More A-list guests are on their way. The knives are still set to be out. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Knives Out', 'Death On The Nile', 'No Time To Die'.