Glass Onion Review - Benoit Blanc aka Daniel Craig Solves Another Thrilling Mystery Like A Pro

Daniel Craig, aka master detective Benoit Blanc, is back with another thrilling mystery, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. It's not long since we had the first episode of Knives Out Mystery, just before the lockdown, so we all know what to expect in the second episode. Well, rest assured, you get what you expect. Only this time, we have more characters, more clues, and gorgeous locations all over the film. Glass Onion has a very metaphoric title, and just like many of you, even I didn't know what it meant. But now I know what it is and why it was named after it. It's a simple physical formula of Onion: everything lies in the center, and just like Onion, the film also has so many rounding circles with lots of slices covering each other.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is invited for a murder mystery weekend by Miles Bron (Edward Norton) at his mansion, the Glass Onion, located on his private island in Greece. The other attendees are Miles' friends: Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn), Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr.), Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson), Duke Cody (Dave Bautista), Peg (Jessica Henwick), Whisky (Madelyn Cline), along with an invited but unexpected guest, Andi (Janelle Monáe). Miles plans a smart murder mystery for his friends, but Benoit busts it in no time, like a child's game. However, it's not as simple as it looks. There is a second layer to this simple-looking narrative, which unfolds the other side of the character in suspenseful ways. Will Blanc reach the truth? Find all the answers in the film rather than looking for spoilers here or anywhere on the internet.The screenplay of Glass Onion can be divided into two parts for the viewers. The first half is all about the characters' introductions and the fun they have with some cheesey dialogue and funky one-liners. It takes about 15-20 minutes for the first appearance of the protagonist, Benoit Blanc, which is indeed too much. However, there are reasons for it, and they are quite valid ones, I suppose. Then, the second half has you immersed in the murder mystery, not just one but more than that, which comes as a total surprise and an unexpected thing if we have to go by the trailer. The last hour is full of twists and revelations, and yes, there are plenty of heroic moments too.Daniel Craig has made a popular image as James Bond, and Blanc is anything but that. This detective is a master himself and knows all the tantrums used by common criminals. When you see this film, you'll hear it loud and clear. He is very cool, man. Craig's dialogue delivery makes you believe in his calmness and professional dominance. Edward Norton gives an honest performance in this well-written role, but he had to share the screen with others in most of his scenes. Glass Onion has a bigger cast than Knives Out (2019), and deservingly so, as Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr, Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista deliver large-scale entertainment through their characters. The Knives Out Mystery doesn't stay limited to Blanc alone this time but carries all the characters together. You'll have fun and lots of glamour with this cast.The mystery-thriller genre is changing with films like these. Those Hitchcock days are gone long ago, and even films like Murder on the Orient Express (1974) and Death on the Nile (1978) have leaped into the history books. No matter how many remakes we make today, we still need some good original works. Knives Out is attempting that, despite not-so-great support from the technical team. Glass Onion is a lavish piece of cinema with gorgeous locations and properties in use, but the technical support isn't up to par. The background score and cinematography are just decent. Well, that's okay for a film made on a budget of $40 million, but you feel like you're missing some breathtaking stuff on the visual canvas. The dialogues and comedy work as surviving factors there. Rian Johnson made The Last Jedi, and people started recognising his name. Well, I'd like to add both episodes of Knives Out to that list. He understands the essence of the genre and how to take his craft to the floating area. There is no sinking whatsoever when Rian is leading the ship. This one is worth watching for Knives Out fans, while others can enjoy beautiful locations and hot cheeks in between. Lian Johnson makes your Christmas merry with a funny, engaging, and thrilling ride. Hop on before the glass breaks out.