``Don't Look Up'' Is there no hope for ``Armageddon'' anymore? 2020's surreal disaster comedy

In an age where we can't believe in ``Armageddon''-like hope.

The road that Dr. Mindy, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and DiBiaski, played by Jennifer Lawrence, take is extremely tough. When they meet the president, their careers and academic backgrounds are mocked and their research is belittled. When they appear on television, they are not taken seriously unless they conform to the media's demand for "cheerful and fun." If they make a mistake on live TV, they are instantly turned into a meme and made fun of on social media.

Even if the two of them somehow manage to come up with an idea, the criteria for judgment are social media engagement and buzz, and if users are not interested, the scientific evidence and value of the information are not an issue (in the film, a newspaper reminiscent of the New York Times does this). Moreover, the collusion between companies, governments, and the media, as well as the industry structure, make things even more complicated. As a result of all these problems piling up, it is difficult to correct the trajectory of the comet heading towards Earth.

"Don't Look Up" NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX

This is only a small part of the story, but it is clear how accurately McKay tried to sketch the reality. The political disregard for science and the attitude of underestimating the situation without facing up to a major crisis are realities of the Donald Trump administration. Also, the reduction of everything to "buzz" and "profit generation" rather than actual value is something that is happening all over the political and cultural scene around the world, including Japan. Discourses like "it's fine if it buzzes, it's fine if it sells, don't complain" are unfortunately no longer uncommon.

McKay weaves together modern issues such as the rise of technology companies, the rise of experts, and scandals involving politicians and celebrities. The film takes a consistent, cold look at social media and the people who indulge in it, and the president played by Meryl Streep is a Donald Trump-esque, Bill Clinton-esque, and George W. Bush-esque character (it's also worth paying attention to her relationship with her son, played by Jonah Hill).

"Don't Look Up" NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX

Furthermore, this film tackles the theme of "the merits and demerits of celebrity." Stars can be a device to divert attention from serious issues, or they can be icons of the issues themselves. The casting of pop star Ariana Grande is extremely multi-layered in that sense, and Chris Evans' cameo role is also very ironic, considering that he is an actor known for his role as Captain America and his own political stance. In addition, the writing and direction of the film, which seems to take into account Greta Thunberg, who has now become a kind of star, and even BTS, are not to be missed.

In other words, this film is an all-around aggressive comedy that cuts out the current society as it is. McKay himself seems to have been fully aware of this, but the scenes are so real that they are no longer funny. By presenting them as "much ado about nothing" as the end of humanity draws near, the hollow reality is exposed as it is. There is no hope for victory like in " Armageddon " (1998), nor any hope for a "strong America" ​​or world unity.

The coronavirus pandemic is stranger than a comet impact