Review of Downsizing (2017) by Matheus L — 03 Jan 2019

Downsizing certainly isn't perfect, however I would argue that it is worth more than an average rating of 5.7/10.

As a whole, the film begins to feel overwhelming by it's last half. There are too many elements to the plot and the transition into Norway feels rigid.

By that point in the film, it had already started to feel like it was dragging on. To have to sit through an additional hour hung up on how it should've ended quite some time ago for a plot that really didn't make sense or gel with the rest of the movie was sort of like the cinematic equivalent of nails on a chalk board.

However, I still hold that the first half of the film was pretty well-done. I really appreciate how Downsizing immediately took a twist by having Audrey back out of the shrinkage procedure. I found the social statements justified and thought provoking. I also genuinely enjoyed the comedic undertones throughout this half.

Sure, the soundtrack is bleak, uninteresting, and otherwise forgettable. It honestly sounds like they strung together royalty-free stock music. However, it's lack of a personality is overshadowed by the movie's cinematic side.

In fact, cinema plays a huge role in Downsizing's subtle humor. A few memorable moments include the giant saltine the nurse teases Paul with upon waking up from the procedure, as well as the singular full-sized dollar bill that can be seen in the background of Dušan's apartment.

Much of Downsizing is also shot to reflect that each character is only 5-inches tall. The angles include plenty of head-space to make them feel small even in Leisure Land, which is scaled according to the size of the downsized population.

All-in-all, I'd say this film deserves a high six or rough seven-out-of-ten. It certainly doesn't rule, but Downsizing is a little movie that does it's best to deliver a big message.