Houli_B_Back t1_j68pytn wrote
For me, the guy’s just a genre bender, and not much else.
He just takes an established formula, and flips it on its head.
Which is a cool trick on a technical level, but for me, doesn’t amount to much in the long run. Because outside of the structural change, I don’t think there’s much to his films. The characterizations and writing isn’t particularly deep or relatable, and though he bends genre, he usually returns to status quo by a film’s conclusion, so any subversion doesn’t seem as brave as it could be, and any social commentary he provides feels so blatant and of the moment it has the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the head.
He plays with genre, but for me, he still feels locked within the confines of genre.
GrayRoberts t1_j68r782 wrote
Mrm.. no. He is repeatedly anti-establishment. He hasn't bent any genres. He does homage to mystery movies.
He looks at an established order and points out the hypocrisy and dirty truths of that order, be it upper-class north-easterners, centuries old established religious orders, or new-age tech-bro billionaires.
Lots of people don't like tweedy people pointing out the flaws in the world they have vested interests in. Lots of people want to see the toughest person win because they're the toughest person. How many 'who's the strongest avenger' posts do we get here?
Rian Johnson is a treasure because he questions the system. He's also a bit tiring once you realize this because he always puts this spin on things. There's nothing wrong with it, but it feels like he's painted himself into a corner creatively.
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