New Mutants movie review by Keith Metcalfe
I caught "New Mutants" in a theater, because I hadn't seen anything in a theater in the longest time ever, from March 11 to Oct 13th. I saw two films that day, the second "Tenet" I'll post tomorrow.
This was the last week for this film that had been out over a month, and never did well when it opened, so I didn't expect a crowd for the 5pm showing, but I was the only person in the theater, for discount day. (But only three people were in the biggest hit at the time, so it isn't fair to judge this too harshly.)
However, as much as I hate to criticize a film made by an artist/creator I love dearly, and starring at least two actresses I really like, the movie, unfortunately fails. It isn't really a superhero film, but a scary film, and it is somewhat successful in that regard. You get your cheap jump scares I usually despise, but there is some genuine moody dread in scenes that works well.
It isn't the disaster the release delay of over a year and some online reviews worried me it would be.
But it could have been a great superhero movie, having all the pieces, like a group of teens learning to use their dangerous powers, many of whom had tragic introductions to them. It works around those ideas, but keeps falling into wanting to be a horror film. It's hard to call it a comic book film, as that just isn't the genre it wants to be. So maybe, I'll watch it again, knowing it to be a horror film, and judge it better, but for now I can only give it 2.5 stars out of 5.
I was a fan of Anna Taylor Joy before everyone knew her from Queen's Gambit, and liked her in films no one else saw, like Morgan and The Witch. (I hope people saw the two really good Shyamalan films she's been in.) She is the best part of the film, and just about the best character, and most interesting. I'm actually a little annoyed they seemed to pull back on showing her traumatic story and suspect there are deleted scenes that will pop up in an extended edition. Maisie Williams (from Game of Thrones) has a nice turn in a different type of character, sweet, tortured, and caring. And does commendable work.
