Well, for starters, this film was directed by filmmaker Boots Riley, and if you’re familiar with Riley’s previous work such as Sorry to Bother You and I’m A Virgo, then you know to expect the unexpected from any of his projects. On the surface, this film follows a group of retail store boosters who use their prowess of stealing clothes and reselling them at a cheaper price to take down a corrupt fashion mogul. It’s an entertaining underdog story bolstered by its themes of the exploitative capitalism and the fantastic performances from the star-studded cast. However, like the Boots Riley projects that have come before, the film inexplicably takes a turn towards the wacky and whimsical. Riley’s signature brand of sci-fi surrealism is definitely present within the film’s trippy visuals that utilized different styles of cinematography and animation, wild action set pieces, witty dialogue, and head spinning plot twists. I’m not going to spoil too many details, as this film is best experienced blind. (This is especially true for the role LaKeith Stanfield plays, which I could not have possibly seen coming from a mile away.) I will say that the elements of the film that lean a little more on the fantastical side might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but personally, I appreciated it. Despite how weird and wacky things got, the story still remained focused on its central, thought-provoking themes and culturally relevant social commentary. Even if you’re not familiar with Riley’s work, I still recommend giving this entertaining surrealist comedy a watch. Just keep an open mind and expect the absolute unexpected. Score: 8/10
Noah Robinson 