The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

*Hard movie to spoil here…

IMDB Synopsis

Unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, actor Nick Cage accepts a $1 million offer to attend a wealthy fan’s birthday party. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when a CIA operative recruits Cage for an unusual mission. Taking on the role of a lifetime, he soon finds himself channeling his most iconic and beloved characters to save himself and his loved ones.

“This is why I must trust my shamanic instincts as a thespian.”

Nicholas Cage is one of the most divisive people on planet Earth. There are some who will say he is a genius who has made a list of incredible movies, and holds an Oscar for Best Actor (yes you read that right). Others will say he is a madman who has been making Direct to Video movies for the last 15 years. Regardless, of which side you are on, everyone has a strong opinion about this man. Which is why this new movie would only work being about him and him alone.

THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT is a movie that sounds like a joke when you read the description. Nic Cage, playing Nic Cage is hired for a birthday party for 1 million dollars, yet when he gets there he is sucked in a international drug sting. Sounds insane right? However, I am here to tell you this is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time. And again the reason for that is Cage’s willingness to be self aware about his career and image and utilize that self awareness and create humor from it.

The bulk of the story though Cage spends with Pedro Pascal’s Javi and the two of them create magic together with their chemistry. Once the movie drifts to full blown action comedy the two of them turn into a Riggs/Murtaugh, Chan/Tucker type of duo. Even if you have not dove deep into the Cage filmography it will be funny but in those scenes if you are familiar with Cage’s work, there is so many payoffs and so many moments that will make you smile.

As far as the technical aspects of the movie, the Filming and the Scoring was done by two people I had never heard of. However, both though were still very well done, the filming was engaging in particular with the way they were able to put Cage in the positions to utilize his past characters. And the score was solid and didn’t really take me out of any scenes, even if it did not necessarily blow me away.

Stock Watch

Stock Up – Nicholas Cage

Obviously the guy is a legend, but clearly he has been down in the industry which is why this movie was made. But his performance is so good I could see him getting another wave of cool roles, because he can really just do anything.

Stock Neutral – Pedro Pascal

Pedro Pascal is at the top right now and can basically do anything he wants. He is the star of the biggest show in the world, was just in a huge DC movie and now is in this hilarious comedy. Give him a script and this guy is gonna make lemonade.

*A couple other tidbits

I know I switch my opinion her all the time but I think I am #DONE with Tiffany Haddish.
It is crazy to me this is Cage’s 100th movie with a starring role.

This movie is just an absolute blast at the theater. I will say though the more you enjoy the work of Nicolas Cage, the more this movie will do for you. But, either way I think most people can look at this and just have fun.

Juice Rating: