FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

jellopuke You really have to be in to old hollywood to get full appreciation out of this movie as it's full of references and homages. Everyone is playing a part of a famous director/producer/actor to the extent that this is almost a type of fan fiction. It's very well done, but just super "inside."

Gavin Purtell The premise for 'Hail, Caesar!' sounds more "meta" than it is - a film studio in the 1950's making a Roman/Jesus epic called 'Hail Caesar' and starring Whitlock (Clooney), the biggest Hollywood star. The film works as a tribute to classic movie-making, with Brolin playing Mannix, the head of "Capitol Studios", trying to keep his sometime wayward stars in check.The film nails the choreography and massive scale the soundstages had, especially with Johansson's mermaid scene and Tatum's tap-dancing sailor scene. Surprise - he can also sing! Probably the funniest moment is new guy Doyle (Ehrenreich)'s cowboy scene and stunts. Unfortunately, there's no real plot other than Clooney getting kidnapped by kind Communists - doesn't really go anywhere.Fiennes, Johansson, Hill, Tatum & McDormand all don't have enough screen time. The score is good and there's some jokes, although most of them are more like a sly wink to the audience - definitely not the Coen's best work! The score's good and Clooney and Tatum both ham it up, but I definitely felt underwhelmed afterwards.

bethanyldameron The Coen Brother's star-studded film, Hail, Caesar! jumps into the backseat with golden-age Hollywood, but fails to measure up to its inspiration. The plot jumps around a lot, and really seems to just be an excuse for the directors to shoot multiple scenes reminiscent of older films (Ben Hur, The Robe, Anchors Away, Ricky Nelson films, etc.). There are many funny moments, but there is little cohesion to them, and it is easy to get lost. With an all-star cast, including Jonah Hill, George Clooney, Channing Tatum, and Scarlett Johansson, it would've been nice to see more well- rounded characters. Channing Tatum's character seems to have only been included to prove that Channing Tatum can sing. In fact, most of the characters seem to contribute little to the plot at all. All this being said, the movie is fun. It is light hearted and enjoyable. The plot may have more detours than a cross-country drive, but each detour has a charm all its own. Best advice: don't worry about the plot, just enjoy each scene for what it is.

madridartist It was just on HBO and my wife and I decided it was going to be our choice for movie night last night. It was literally the worst movie I've ever seen. The plot was slow and barely there, the writing was terrible, and the directing tied nothing together. Even the acting was stupid and forced, I can't believe these actors would even sign on for this...and Scarlett wisely disappears rather quickly, like she was just in it as a favor. Like troopers we made it through to the end (well, i did...my wife got up and started cooking in the kitchen, she just couldn't take it anymore) and even the ending was pointless and went no where. I don't think you could have made a less interesting film if you tried. Straight to DVD and deservingly so.