Tenet (2020)

You'll understand the palindrome when you see this, and why it's so goddamn cryptic in the beginning.

It's been a while since I saw a movie like this. Like Memento. Where you learn more as you go. But I don't remember being as annoyed at that factor with movies of the past as I was with this one.

Maybe because they don't clue you in.

Maybe because it takes a while to learn you're learning. Or maybe I was just a little too thickheaded this time around?

For the first hour or so I didn't like this. For the second half of it... I'm starting to. Though I don't follow it quick enough.

I thought the flames not being inverted as they escape the free port was a mistake. I don't catch the movements. I knew that one person was keeping a secret from the Protagonist (literal movie credit name - ain't that creative) during their first visit there. I knew something was going to start unveiling after that strange incident at the Opera. But I don't catch all.

I don't catch quick.

Maybe they could've explained things a bit more thoroughly when the female doctor first appears?

I also feel like the action moves seem a little strained and unnatural - the chases too, and not just because they're in reverse. Because it's not all fluent. Because the punches seem to lack power. Then again it must've been a real challenge to make both directions and times meet. In all the scenes. Whatever techniques they used for it. Even if they just film things twice and then overlap. Must've been tricky, and I don't mean to be picky.

Maybe I'd appreciate this more if I see it again... for now not feeling it.

I love the premise though.

I love the soundtrack. I love the initial Opera scene, and the final scene, and plenty of bits between. It's just personal encounters that seem impersonal. Conversations that - at least for a long time in the beginning - didn't feel natural at all.

Not sure the protagonist feels like the most natural protagonist either, even if he does have confidence almost to the point of an Idris Elba.

But maybe I'm wrong.

I need to see this again. Maybe I'll give it a top score next time.

It's one of those rare movies that when it ends... you know it isn't over. It's just the beginning.

Maybe it takes a few watches for it to grow on you too.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle