It’s been another trip to Cineworld and this time to check out NOPE in IMAX for our latest review, the new movie from Jordan Peele and starring Daniel Kaluuya, who is joined by Keke Palmer and Oscar® nominee Steven Yeun.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing NOPE since we were teased a while back on Jordan Peele’s Instagram account about the release, then after seeing the trailer I was intrigued even more but I have to say that after seeing NOPE in IMAX the trailers really don’t do the movie any justice.
The movie starts off with a shocker that I wasn’t really expecting but it does add to the back story of one of the characters that we meant later in the movie, after the shock opening NOPE slowly builds as we are introduced to OJ (Kaluuya), Emerald (Palmer) and their father (Keith David) but soon the strangeness happens when small items start raining on the property with one hitting Otis (David) and killing him, now it’s down to OJ and his sister Emerald to keep the ranch going and the business that their father had set up for the use of horses on Hollywood movies.
But there is something in the skies over the ranch, something alien that is watching the family and the small theme park nearby that is owned and run by former child star Ricky ‘Jupe’ Park (Stephen Yeun) and this character is certainly one to watch as there is much more to this character than you first think.
As I mentioned earlier the trailer really doesn’t do the movie any justice, I found myself getting pulled into the story and really wanting to know more about the UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) that we aren’t sure whether it is friend or foe, but it soon becomes clear that there is something more sinister about it and there are some scenes that I found myself just thinking “WOW”.
I enjoyed the characters and the cast is certainly one that works well with each other, it’s always great to see Daniel Kaluuya in a movie and this is one that is no exception, Keke Palmer is certainly a scene stealer and I really enjoyed her performance and screen time with Kaluuya and you can feel that sibling connection. Steven Yeun is good as the former child star and plays his role well, but for me, it was great to see Michael Wincott and hear his distinctive voice, many will know him from The Crow, I loved him as Antlers Holst.
Although NOPE does have a slow start it certainly makes up for it as the film passes the halfway point and it really takes on more of a Sci-Fi horror than the drama/thriller that you get the feeling of at the start. I’ve enjoyed Peele’s work over the years, Get Out was always my favourite, I liked US but it didn’t give me the same vibes, with NOPE I found that I enjoyed it as much as Get Out.
NOPE IMAX
The appeal in seeing the IMAX release of NOPE for me was when I heard that it was shot with IMAX’s iconic 15/65mm film cameras and it’s the first horror to be shot with IMAX film cameras, but not only does this give us those moments when we get more screen as the movie expands into the full screen, it also brings us the crispness and clarity that only IMAX brings us.
The IMAX sequences in NOPE look fantastic and they certainly take you deeper into the world that Jordan Peele has written for the big screen, the sound is also stunning with all the speakers being used perfectly making you feel like you are in the middle of what’s going on, the clarity of the quietest sounds to the silence that lulls you into false security works brilliantly, then you are shaken in your seat by the powerful booming bass of other scenes.
For me IMAX is certainly the way to see NOPE, it’s an experience that adds to the storytelling from Jordan Peele.
Nope, which co-stars Michael Wincott (Hitchcock, Westworld) and Brandon Perea (The OA, American Insurrection), is written and directed by Jordan Peele and is produced by Ian Cooper (Us, Candyman) and Jordan Peele for Monkeypaw Productions. The film is out now by Universal Pictures worldwide.
NOPE comes to Digital 4K UH, Blu-ray and DVD
The mysterious sci-fi pop nightmare is available to own for the first time on Digital Download on October 28 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD from November 14, 2022, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD*, 4K UHD, BLU-RAYTM, DVD**:
- SHADOWS: THE MAKING OF NOPE**- Unpack the meaning of NOPE with Jordan Peele. Secrets are revealed with this 56-minute immersion exploring the film’s unanswered questions, taking you on an intimate journey inside every aspect of production and offering a detailed look at Peele’s revolutionary filmmaking process.
- DELETED SCENES – Watch five unreleased scenes from NOPE
- GAG REEL – A highlight reel of bloopers and outtakes featuring main cast
- CALL HIM JEAN JACKET – The object of the Haywood siblings’ fascination is an entity known only as “Jean Jacket.” Filmmakers provide insights into the conception, design, and execution of this mysterious organism.
- MYSTERY MAN OF MUYBRIDGE – A deep dive into THE HORSE IN MOTION by Eadweard Muybridge, its relationship to the Haywoods, and how it relates to the larger themes in NOPE.
*Available via iTunes only
**Not on DVD format
NOPE - Yes Yes!
Movie title: NOPE (2022)
Movie description: The residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.
Date published: August 16, 2022
Country: UK
Duration: 2h 10m
Director(s): Jordan Peele
Actor(s): Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Scii-Fi
Summary
The trailer for NOPE really doesn’t do it any justice, the 2h 10m run time flew by and the IMAX scenes and sound were amazing, if you get the chance see this movie in IMAX.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
