Nope Review - Jordan Peele Forces You To Look Up & Say YES To His Visually Brilliant Sci-Fi Horror Spectacle

If I say Jordan Peele has his own cinema and you are up for it, then add Nope with a big YES to the list. Peele's directorial debut, Get Out (2017), left us stunned. That kind of horror cinema was missing in this The Conjuring era, and Peele was smart enough to realise that before critics and smart movie lovers did. His next film, Us, again had us all immersed in a horror universe. Peele was no longer an ordinary director after these two films, so how could he be with his third? There was no way Nope could have gotten a 'No' from the viewers, and I am adding myself to the league of fans right here at this moment. Nope is truly a Jordan Peele kind of cinema with a spine-chilling cinematic experience made only for IMAX viewing.Set in a west-side ranch, Nope revolves around two siblings who own the ranch. OJ Haywood Jr. (Daniel Kaluuya) is an unsuccessful horse trainer, and his sister, Em Haywood (Keke Palmer), seeks fame and fortune in Hollywood as a singer, actor, host, and what not. Both witness a series of mysterious events and then learn about an unidentified flying thing (a big saucer). Their attempts to capture evidence through videos and photos are shown throughout the film, but it's also about saving their own lives against the flying monster. Meanwhile, the two are joined by a tech salesman, Angel (Brandon Perea), and a renowned cameraman, Holst (Michael Wincott). Jupe (Steven Yeun) is one of the major witnesses to the same activities, but there is something wrong between him and those siblings for some unknown business forsaken reasons.Frankly speaking, Jordan Peele's script has nothing good for you. Actually, it is not a film that should be viewed for its storyline. I mean, these alien and spacecraft things are too old, no? Coincidentally, I got to see Steven Spielberg's ET: The Extra Terrestrial's (1982) 40th Anniversary teaser before Nope, and that reminded me how old this Alien thing is now. Not to forget Ridley Scott's Alien (1979), which makes it 3 years older. From that, I remember, Nope is the best formulaic 'Alien-concept' film in recent years. Actually, best after Scott's sci-fi horror, its blockbuster sequel Aliens (1986) by Cameron, and John Carpenter's The Thing (1982). I didn't go back to evergreen classics like The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and Forbidden Planet (1957). Nope lacks the story-driven and groundbreaking cinema like those three films, but with this budget, it's on above par level. Nope was never meant to be a story-driven cinema, at least that's how I see it. It was supposed to be an atmospheric and environment-driven cinema, and it succeeds in doing so.Daniel Kaluuya excels in the lead role, just like he always has in every Jordan Peele film. His expressions are genuine, and several depressing scenes are made more intense on screen by his incorporation of his own persona. In her very first scene, Keke Palmer had a blast and gave a caution about the upcoming storm. However, she also gets into an intense mode later, where she does an even better job. Steven Yeun's character has less space that could've been extended, but sadly remains the least explored. On his behalf, Brandon Perea brings some real fun in a much-needed and important supporting role. The small roles by Michael Wincott, Keith David, Wrenn Schmidt and child artist Jacob Kim are really fine.Coming back to Peele's technical team, as mentioned above, Nope isn't a story-driven film, but a cinematic experience. Why? Because the technical aspects of the film make it a rich viewing experience. The background score, cinematography, visual effects, production design, sound and editing, every single technical aspect of the film is outstanding. It may not frighten you as much as Jaws, Alien, or The Thing because it is not a mind-bending film, but it has its moments of terror. You will feel frightened for a while and might not look UP, like the characters, that's how engaging and atmospheric it is. At moments, you feel like, why are you scared if there is no ghost or evil face up there? It's just a flying saucer with some screaming noises, and yet your heartbeat escalates. Why? This is where the victory of Nope lies.Jordan Peele has become a director to look up to. People who really want to make a good horror movie should take lessons from him, and I'm sure he will charge less just like the budget of his movies. Nope is still a far more high-budget film compared to Get Out and Us, but this was needed. The money goes where it's due. Peele did not waste a single peel. Nope is his masterclass at director's chair. There is no story practically, and there is no theoretical appeal either, yet his skilful vision strikes gold! Nope may go down in the history books as one of the finest experiences at the movies as far as moderate-budget sci-fi horror flicks are concerned. Try and watch this film in IMAX because that's where the real show of this comes to visibility. That's how it is shot, modified, visualised, and presented. Don't miss this visually stunning horror show by the new master of the genre. Nope might just be his best work to date. That's a big thing to say YES!