Don’t Look Up

A critique paper prepared by Roque Ryan E. Laparan

Introduction:

I.
Ignorance and apathy are the most powerful enemy of the world. The film “Don’t Look Up”
was a satirical sci-fi, comedy and drama movie in America directed and produced by Adam
McKay and made it debut through the online streaming platform called Netflix, starring by
famous personality in Hollywood Leonardo Dcarpio and Jennifer Lawrence. This was
released on December 24, 2021 amidst pandemic and lately received various nominations
including Best Picture at the Academy Awards and 74 th Writers Guild of America Awards.
Don’t look up movie was a story of two low level astronomers who discover an imminent
comet that threatens to destroy the Earth that could lead to a massive extinction. They
embark on a media tour to arose public interest about the thing they discover, only to
encounter apathy, denial and tuns out to be a political machination.

II.
This movie mainly argued that we live in a society where scientific facts are neglected and
people ignore the threat of our own self destruction. Thinking of it, it was released during
the outbreak of covid-19 virus and the issue about the overwhelming situation of the Earth.
It might only be a coincidence but one thing I am sure, it’s a perfect metaphor of pandemic
and climate crisis. Nonetheless, this movie was able to present various issue that we have
today. This movie however signify how people in social media tend to engage in non sense
matter in spite of having serious problems that needed an immediate approach. This
situation was seen on the scene of how people on the movie talked about the break up of
Riley Bina that was played by Ariana Grande with his boyfriend and set aside the comet that
could end everyone’s life. Moreover, this movie also allow to establish facts on how content
creators spread false and misleading information and even only made for satire to arose the
public’s attention and gather million of views. The film denounces social media’s stupidity in
not recognizing valuable news from trusted journalism.

On the other hand, Don’t Look Up movie also illustrates different political context through it.
One of these is obviously on how government act upon in different crisis wherein political
leaders only sees issue as an opportunity to be known and not to serve the people. Even
politics being used as a way to business were mainly tackled by this movie in the scene
where the President of the United States of America had a last minute cancelled on the
launch of those rockets that will redirect the comet’s possibly impact on Earth just because
of having a deal with the CEO of BASH Company which is to break the comet into pieces and
let it directed to Earth and took out those rare minerals found that cost trillion of dollars and
actually would benefit his company and obviously will make the president a boastful
recognition.

The structure and content of the movie was perfectly written by Adam McKay. It was
created with the mixture of drama, comedy and tragedy. The part where they discover the
upcoming comet towards Earth started the intense emotion of viewers in the movie. The

The cast is undeniably talented as they play their role in the movie. It was fascinating to see
how every actors specially Leonardo Dicaprio acted with full of his emotion and bring his
viewers like it was totally real one. However, Dr. Oglethorpe played by Rob Morgan took my
attention in the whole movie. I loved how he says every line he had and those motivational
phrases that really sought me well. If I would given the chance to have a friend, well, I could
say that Dr. Oglethorpe should be the one to consider. Jennifer Lawrence though a veteran
actress, I really don’t like her voice this time. It seems so unnatural to the point that she
even had a squeaky voice while saying her line and kinda bit exaggerated. A 6 out 10 for her
acting skill this time, given that I love her role in Hunger Games.

Literally, technically speaking, the production was able to produce a good output since visual
effects were seem so realistic and editing were so fantastic. The production team assure to
choose appropriate different setting in the movie that would look relevant, from the NASA’s
headquarters, inside a rocket etc. which captures the viewers attention. Sounds were also
allow to add emotion in every scene in the movie whether it was a drama or comedy.

It’s also a great move to include a song in the movie. This added a remarkable entertainment
that viewers would never forget, a great move indeed!. Adding the song is a brilliant idea to
point out one of the message of the movie itself which had done in this movie. The song
mainly argues that we shouldn’t ignore things that are obviously happening. It’s a metaphor
of having sympathy, care and to take up space in every troubles we have. Even the
government try to make us blind, we should always look up and stand for what is right.

Furthermore, this movie merely focused on getting the guts of its audiences by uttering
some jokes and funny scene. It is quite disappointing that comedy were obviously flawed the
entire film. Nonetheless, despite of this flaws, Don’t Look Up able to surpass its purpose
which is to make inform and persuade the viewers about the main objective this movie
imply.