Tenet

Christopher Nolan's latest film, Tenet is a science fiction spy film that takes an interesting spin with time travel. Rather than having its characters use a time machine to go back or forwards in time, they instead use a device that not only inverts the entropy of any object but causes anyone to enter it to experience time in reverse. Focusing on a never named spy, played by John David Washington, simply known as the Protagonist, he joins an organization known as Tenet that uses the entropy device to prevent a Russian oligarch, played by Kenneth Branagh, from starting another World War. As it turns out Branagh's Russian has his own device and with it he's been commuting with those in the future who want to destroy the past. With the help of a mysterious Tenet handler and the Russian's estranged wife, the Protagonist must work whether in forward or in reverse to prevent destruction. Once again, Nolan proves that he can make a huge budget film that's original and without being based on an already existing property. His writing is at times hard to follow, but it's one of those stories that you not only need to pay really close attention to but also can tell Nolan really believes in this story by the amount of detail he puts in it. Though this can hinder Tenet at times, whether through a very slow and prodding intro or too many long sequences of exposition. Even if they can be confusing, the sequences wherein anything involving inversion are all done in an amazing way, especially as very little CG was used. Although there are moments not involving inversion that are just as memorable, like when an actual plane was used to crash into a building. The performances from all the actors, like Washington, Branagh, Robert Pattinson, and Elizabeth Debicki, are all strong. Of all the film's weaknesses, the most obvious is the sound quality as certain things like the music or the sound effects of action sequences tends to be way too loud and can barely hear what the characters say. While not a problem with the movie itself, Nolan's insistence that it only be released in theaters instead of streaming due to the coronavirus makes it hard to appreciate some of his work as it feels he doesn't adapt to changes and cares more for his work than the safety of those watching movies. Tenet is a great example of how talented Christopher Nolan is, but also shows his many weaknesses that he's never improved upon. Over all: 88%

2020 top list so far:
1. The Invisible Man 2020
2. The Gentlemen
3. Birds of Prey
4. Onward
5. Tenet

6. The New Mutants

7. Bad Boys for Life
8. The Call of the Wild 2020
9. Sonic the Hedgehog