This movie probably got enough hype that anything I can say merely echoes recently rung sentiments, but I will say things anyway. I loved it, very much. The way it mixed profundity with absurdity, an Epictetian philosophy with cosmic horror and crude, slapstick kung-fu were incredible accomplishments. How many missteps were perhaps only narrowly avoided, the chance to fizzle into irrelevance through irreverence, the resistance to becoming too high-minded after beating a man unconscious with dildos, it’s amazing the tightrope act this film walks. Mad props for the incredible costume design (especially the wildly inventive outfits of Jobu Tupaki) of Shirley Kurata. I almost never pay attention to costume design but the breadth and creativity of this wardrobe was stunning. Also loved Son Lux’s soundtrack. Long time listener, didn’t even realize they were leveraged for the music until I saw them in the end credits!

Big personal connection: I struggle with life satisfaction, meaning, nihilism, who the hell doesn’t. It’s nice to see big crazy fun movie that doesn’t just touch on, but is primarily focused on this conflict. For this shape and pace of movie we generally have to look to MCU special-people-saving-the-normies-caliber content, which can never address the ennui of being one of those normies subject to the unfeeling universe and the machinations of power. I had been wanting to see this film for a long time, and it’s one of those few that lives up to the hype by being constantly surprising and deeply felt. If I know what the recommendation flag I’ve been arbitrarily assigning to these films is for, it’s for a work such as this.