Movie Review: Megalopolis

Movie Review: Megalopolis

As a movie critic with over three decades of experience, I’ve seen it all – from the sublime to the ridiculous, and unfortunately, “Megalopolis” falls squarely into that latter category. It’s been a while since I’ve felt compelled to use such harsh words as I am now, but this film is simply inexcusable.


In cinematic history, a situation similar to “Megalopolis” is unlikely to recur, as it marks a unique instance where the esteemed director Francis Ford Coppola, renowned for his masterpiece “The Godfather” from 1971, has since created what many consider the worst film ever made.

2022’s Megalopolis leaves me scratching my head in disbelief, joining the ranks of last year’s Babylon, “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” and “Poor Things” as some of the most perplexingly poor films I’ve ever encountered. The narrative is virtually non-existent, with no discernible connections between scenes, making it feel like a haphazard collection of nonsensical sequences rather than a cohesive storyline. It’s as if we’re watching 125 million dollars’ worth of chaos unfold before our eyes, a two-hour endurance test for patience and logic. Even Francis Ford Coppola, who funded this cinematic disaster with his own money, must be regretting such an investment in a tale that has been circulating for over four decades. It’s hard to believe any production company would risk their reputation on such a questionable idea.

One clear indication that a poor film has been launched is the feedback from critics. In this case, their reviews are among the most negative ever written.

As a discerning movie-goer, let me express my bafflement: there’s only one possibility left that could unite us all – the undeniable fact that not a single reasonable spectator can comprehend what on earth Megalopolis intends to achieve.

Adam Olinger: Megalopolis is the sci-fi movie equivalent of CATS.

Chad Byrnes: It’s painful on a truly impressive level.

AA Doyd expresses that Megalopolis struggles to hold together, both philosophically and dramatically. Even in its improbable execution, it appears underdeveloped, feeling more like a concept for a film rather than the film itself.

It’s astonishing that such a poor-quality film was made. I can hardly fathom the thought process behind its creation, considering the time and effort poured into it during production. One might wonder how anyone could have envisioned this movie as a viable success.

In “Megalopolis,” Adam Driver portrays Caesar, the central character who navigates the downfall of the Roman Empire in a way that parallels contemporary New York City. Nathalie Emmanuel is extensively featured throughout this narrative and takes on the role of Julia Cicero, Caesar’s wife.

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2024-09-28 16:49