Megalopolis: Coppola's Ambitious Sci-Fi Epic Stumbles Spectacularly

When the first trailer for "Megalopolis" dropped, it was full of negative review quotes about Francis Ford Coppola's movies. However, journalists quickly noticed that the trailer was grossly inaccurate, with critic quips either completely fabricated or reworded to change their meaning. This raised questions about the director's approach to promoting his passion project.

A Visionary's Vanity Project Crumbles Under Its Own Weight

A Convoluted Narrative Mired in Absurdity

The plot of "Megalopolis" is a convoluted mess, blending elements of science fiction, political intrigue, and Shakespearean drama in a way that never quite coheres. The film follows Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), a visionary who seeks to build a utopian city, and his conflict with the corrupt Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito). Along the way, we're introduced to a dizzying array of characters with absurd names like Wow Platinum (Aubrey Plaza) and Fundi Romaine (Laurence Fishburne), each seemingly acting in a different movie.The script, penned by Coppola himself, is described as "dull and astonishingly stupid," with plotlines that never resolve and fantasy-based concepts that clash with the film's social message about the corrupting nature of power. The actors, saddled with dopey Caesar haircuts and outlandish costumes, appear embarrassed and disconnected, each delivering performances that feel at odds with one another.

A Mishmash of Styles and Tones

"Megalopolis" is a visual and tonal mess, with the reviewer noting that the sets are "confusing" and the "cheesy special effects look imported from the 1980 disco movie 'Xanadu.'" The film's attempt to blend high-concept science fiction with a gritty, socially conscious narrative results in a jarring and disorienting experience for the audience.One particularly bizarre element is the live component, where an actual person in the theater "interviews" an onscreen Cesar. This gimmick, which the reviewer likens to the work of William Castle, is so poorly executed that the audience can barely hear what's being said.

A Vanity Project Gone Awry

The reviewer's most scathing criticism is reserved for Coppola himself, who spent 40 years trying to bring this "worthless, 138-minute hot mess" to the screen. The director, who has five Oscars and a vineyard he sold to help raise the $120 million budget, is accused of creating a vanity project that has lost all connection to his once-great talent.The reviewer's final assessment is a damning one, questioning whether Coppola's decades-long pursuit of this project was worth the cost. "Walking out of the theater, I asked aloud 'THIS is what he pawned all those grapes for?!'" the review concludes, delivering a devastating half-star rating.