There is so much great potential here. Everyone is acting their asses off, really. Joe Manganiello is really selling it, committing to his role. I love the conceit of the film. The animation! Gosh, the beautiful animation sequences. And the protagonists are so charismatic, played really well, with a depth to them beyond their first appearances. But all that, there’s just something … disconcerting about this film. It feels cheap? Unfinished? I cannot articulate it but it feels like there’s something missing - heart? Soul? A message? IDK.

There is so much great potential here. Everyone is acting their asses off, really. Joe Manganiello is really selling it, committing to his role. I love the conceit of the film. The animation! Gosh, the beautiful animation sequences. And the protagonists are so charismatic, played really well, with a depth to them beyond their first appearances. But all that, there’s just something … disconcerting about this film. It feels cheap? Unfinished? I cannot articulate it but it feels like there’s something missing - heart? Soul? A message? IDK.

Cool concepts and a scene chewing Glenn Howerton don't override the sleazy, exploitative nature of how Hamster and the film actually treat the Max Fist character.

Cool concepts and a scene chewing Glenn Howerton don't override the sleazy, exploitative nature of how Hamster and the film actually treat the Max Fist character.

Dug the heck out of this. It benefits from a committed performance from Joe Manganiello. Lot of pulpy goodness with this one.

Dug the heck out of this. It benefits from a committed performance from Joe Manganiello. Lot of pulpy goodness with this one.

A little too dry/minimal and spins its wheels a bit but still enjoyable and it’s got an Umberto score.

A little too dry/minimal and spins its wheels a bit but still enjoyable and it’s got an Umberto score.