STORYLINE: When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue one of their own’s daughter. (IMDb)

    Revolutions and revolutionists have been featured in all sorts of feature films. My personal favorite is 2005’s V for Vendetta. Every tine I watch that movie I get something new out if it. Revolutionary films can be epic, such as Warren Beatty’s Oscar winning Reds (1981), and occasionally comedic like Mel Brooks’ brilliant History of the a world pt 1 (1981).  Of course, 2025 has the release of One Battle After Another.

    Director Paul Thomas Anderson work has not always landed with me.   Inherent Vice (2014) and Licorice Pizza (2021) were not my kind of movies. On the other hand There Will be Blood (2008) and The Master (2012) I thought were incredible.  The one constant across all his films is, I have marveled at the ensembles. One Battle After Another, continues that tradition of an impressive ensemble.  

    After a two hour and forty one minute runtime I was ready for the film to end.  I felt it often repeated itself with its messages on immigration and the need for political change. In the current times, both are important messages. 

   The film is anchored by Oscar bait performances from Leonardo DuCaprio, Sean Penn. Benico Del Toro (who is the stand out), and Chase Infiniti in her film debut.  Chase Infiniti has a long career ahead of her, after seeing her talent on display in the film here. 

   With releases such as One Battle After Another, Eddington, and Sorry, Baby 2025 is shaping up to be a year of political issue releases. If they make their points respectfully and are strong films it will make for some interesting cinema. 

   One Battle After Another is a strong ensemble piece, that is a bit long.  Still it had many mimevts if excitement as it made its point.

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!