‘Entergalactic’ (2022) Review: Celebrating Human Connection with Gorgeous Visuals
Netflix’s Entergalactic is an animated movie with themes grounded in fate, missed connections and romance. It’s a “television event” by Kid Cudi and Kenya Barris and was released as a companion to Cudi’s 10th studio album. These kinds of projects aren’t entirely new. Beyoncé’s self-titled visual album in 2013 is another example of the masterful work done to show the beautiful and unique aesthetics. With Entergalactic, Cudi brings forth a narrative feature to present the levels of animations that are beyond its ambitious intent. Its style is close to Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and a standalone feature that celebrates human connectedness in New York.
The story follows Jabari (voiced by Cudi, credited as Scott Mescudi), an artist who finally lands the job of his dreams to develop his characters at a comic book company, Cosmic Comics. He spent years painting murals on the street and building a following on social media. Now, all his hard work is paid off. He’s in the process of moving into a new apartment when he bumps into his ex-girlfriend, Carmen (voiced by Laura Harrier) and ends up spending the night with her. Before things get serious between them, he reminds her that he doesn’t want to get back together due to his new job. His best friends, Jimmy (voiced by Timothée Chalamet) and Ky (voiced by Ty Dolla $ign, credited as Tyrone Griffin Jr.), remind him of the opportunity and celebrate his success. The three friends drift through the bars and clubs in New York City, but when he meets his neighbour and photographer, Meadow (voiced by Jessica Williams), he finds himself enamoured in a new romance.
Entergalactic is a pretty straightforward story, and yet it works well. A story about two star-crossed lovers that seemingly end up together and realise that they are meant to be together is the perfect rom-com formulae. Directed by Fletcher Moules, the movie accompanies Cudi’s album, which visually and narratively makes up for the romantic vibes it tries to sell to the audience. The structure and pacing of the fictionalised love story and the album’s music are perfectly juxtaposed to tell Jabari’s love story. It’s magical and dives into the characters’ headspace so seemingly that it feels like an overlong music video that never stops. Since the movie is a “television event,” it is broken down into different chapters to unfold Jabari’s life perfectly.
Visually, Entergalactic is gorgeous. In this dream-like territory, Jabari and Meadow’s relationship is beautiful. The visual component of the movie is the best aspect. This creative endeavour is a strong animation creation. The aesthetic and digital artistry is delightfully admiring with vivid brushstrokes that paint the beautiful city of New York. It is a dazzling experience to witness something of this creative magnitude.
Jabari and Meadow’s romantic relationship is explored in each track. Sonically, each beat hits perfectly. The romantic chemistry is electrifying. The movie doesn’t shy away from showing the hardships of being in a relationship. The tracks on Cudi’s Entergalactic balance each other out. The songs describe the good and bad moments in their relationships. Also, one song describes the hard time Jabari has at his professional job. The songs are about messy exes, commitment issues, and communication problems that hinder their romantic relationships.
Entergalactic explores what conspires against Jabari and Meadow’s intimate relationship. The uncertainty of establishing what their relationship means and the connection which keeps brewing stronger between them. It’s a straightforward romantic story with moments of humour and heartbreak that tells the boy-meets-girl love story using a different medium and formulae. Entergalactic celebrates the messiness and beauty of human connection.
Entergalactic is currently streaming on Netflix.
