MEGALOPOLIS (2024)

Genre: Sci-Fi
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, Talia Shire, Grace Vanderwaal, Laurence Fishburne, Kathryn Hunter, Dustin Hoffman
Runtime: 2 hrs 18 mins
Rating: R21 (Sexual Scenes)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website:

Opening Day: 26 September 2024

Synopsis: Megalopolis is a Roman Epic set in an imagined Modern America. The City of New Rome must change, causing conflict between Cesar Catilina, a genius artist who seeks to leap into a utopian, idealistic future, and his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who remains commi tted to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero, the mayor's daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believe s humanity deserves.

Movie Review:

We won’t say we fully understand what Francis Ford Coppola’s latest film is about. Considered one of the greatest directors of all time, his notable movies include The Godfather trilogy (1972 to 1990), as well as Apocalypse Now (1979). Coppola’s last directorial work was Twixt (2011), and it has taken the filmmaker 13 years to give the world this 138 minute drama that will go down history as one of the most divisive films ever made.

The protagonist is Cesar Catilina (a suitably intense Adam Driver), an architect who is given the liberty to rebuild a metropolis called New Rome. He is facing resistance from the mayor (Giancarlo Esposito, who manages to ace every role he is given), and as a respectable screenplay would have it, Cesar falls in love with the mayor’s daughter (Nathalie Emmanuel).

Back to Cesar’s task of bringing life back to the decaying city – he is using a material known as Megalon, which gives him the ability to control space and time. In his way are several other characters, which include his uncle (Jon Voight) who is also the head of the national bank, his jealous and angry cousin (Shia LaBeouf hamming it up) who will stop at nothing to bring Cesar down, as well as a lusty TV presenter (Aubrey Plaza oozing sexiness) who will do anything to become rich and powerful.

Everything sounds fine so far, and it seems like this movie is a drama about several characters fighting it out to get to the top. While the story is reportedly Coppola’s vision of a world where parallels can be drawn between the fall of Rome and the future of the United States, we feel that this film is an experience rather than a movie you sit through to be entertained.

For more than two hours, you will be kept captivated by Coppola’s vision of this supposed fable he has created. Watch this on an IMAX screen for the maximum visual impact - you will come face to face with one magnificent set after another, and the lavish and intricately designed costumes will catch your attention. The grandeur of things serves as a backdrop for the characters to deliver their sometimes philosophical dialogue, and for Cesar’s driver (Laurence Fishburne) to narrate the story. There are quotes to bookmark the different chapters, and you will try your best to make sense of them.

Conversely, you may get increasingly exasperated by the self indulgence on display. The overstuffed film obviously isn’t going for subtlety, and you may feel emotionally detached from the characters. The many digitally created scenes, as stunning as they are, will turn you off instead of making an impression.

Perhaps what is important is to understand how this film was in development for decades. Coppola reportedly came up with the idea in 1977 and the project never took off because of different circumstances. The filmmaker also supposedly became discouraged by the studio system, even saying that he will self finance the production if it materialises.

After a few more hiccups and bad press (including a trailer that included fake quotes derived from AI), the epic drama is finally making its way to be experienced on the big screen. Step into the theatre with no expectactions and you may be wowed by Coppola’s brave creation. Whether it will break even at the box office or not, maybe the more important thing for the acclaimed filmmaker is that he has gotten people to talk about this manifesto. 

Movie Rating:

(It doesn't matter whether you enjoy this divisive film or not - perhaps the whole point is to experience Francis Ford Coppola's crestive indulgence on the big screen possible)

Review by John Li