Read Mixed User Reviews for Crazy Rich Asians

5

Compi24Aug 21, 2018

Fans of the romantic comedy genre may find and build a home within the charms and appeals of "Crazy Rich Asians." I, however, cannot seem to look past the fact that many of those "charms" and "appeals" are beats and tropes recycled fromFans of the romantic comedy genre may find and build a home within the charms and appeals of "Crazy Rich Asians." I, however, cannot seem to look past the fact that many of those "charms" and "appeals" are beats and tropes recycled from countless other films with similar premises. It's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" meets "The Princess Diaries." It's "The Prince & Me" meets "Notting Hill." It's so many elements from so many other similar films thrown together to little effect. From the "plainful" character work, to the mediocre-at-best comedic notes, there's not much for me to chew on in this. Even the importance of the film's casting is undercut by the fact that the movie isn't necessarily saying anything specific about Asian culture at all. In fact, you could insert any ethnic group within the film's title and still convey the same message - that marrying up in class is a difficult thing to do sociologically. A "Crazy Rich Middle-Easterners" that takes place in Dubai. A "Crazy Rich Indians" that takes place in Delhi. A "Crazy Rich Latinos" that takes place in Rio. Any of them could work. Why was "Get Out" so effective at what it set out to do? Because it was so specific in what it was trying to say. You cannot feasibly swap out races of characters in that movie without sacrificing the thematic matters at hand (race relations between black and white people in America). And though, again, the casting within this film is an important step forward for Hollywood, I find it hard to believe that it was of that much importance to the people behind it, when the most specific thing we see relative to the Chinese experience is just one scene of characters folding dumplings in between attending Western-friendly parties where they happen to be blasting covers of American pop songs over the loudspeakers. It's not a particularly bad or offensive film at all. It's just simply plain. Very plain. And it doesn't even scrape against the boundaries of the romantic comedy genre in the ways that it should (i.e. in a narrative, character, or thematic way).… Expand

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

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6

auburnnAug 17, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Don't get me wrong: i'm not saying I was disappointed. In the contrary, I was amused by this film. It's just an average romantic comedy. The production and cast are great. I recommend you guys who are rom com lovers to check out this movie. If you just want to have fun (like I did), this movie totally worths it. In this review, I just want to take a closer look at the cultural significance. I'm just having a problem with the unreasonable script and the hype. The Asian/Asian-American background is nothing but a background: I mean, the conflict between old money and new middle class can happen anytime anywhere, right? The funniest moment in this film happens when Rachel Chu claims herself as a poor immigrant "nobody" - if a young econ professor at NYU is a nobody then why do we normal people ever bother to live. Besides, I know the movie exaggerates, but you tell me how is it possible for a poor immigrant from China to ever make it to the econ department at NYU. These settings distance the audience from an immigration experience, which should be universal, at least for some American immigrants from East Asia. The presentation of Asian culture also seems suspicious. On the one hand, I appreciate the Asian accent, Chinese lyrics, dumplings, mah-jong, etc., which show respect for Asian culture. Specifically, the warmest part in this movie is when Rachel Chu and Nick Young eat street food after they arrive in Singapore. For me, that part constitutes a most authentic living experience in Singapore, a developed Asian country yet filled with traditional Asian culture. On the other hand, some of the cultural symbols are too emphasized that it becomes creepy. For instance, the dumpling part. I mean, literally no families in Asia would make dumplings in that luxurious an environment. No need to mention the depiction of the kitchen and epiphyllum - the production is trying too hard that it becomes exoticising.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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4

TomdorOct 1, 2018

Went to see this movie because of the good reviews and thought it would be quite funny and entertaining. Wrong - the reviews seems to be PC - based on a Hollywood movie being made about the Asian culture with actual Asian actors and notWent to see this movie because of the good reviews and thought it would be quite funny and entertaining. Wrong - the reviews seems to be PC - based on a Hollywood movie being made about the Asian culture with actual Asian actors and not based on the merits of the actual movie. Its a glorification of Richness and Money and Bling though its heroine is supposedly modest and unflashy. It was boring beyond belief formulaic and predictable and most disappointingly the three young women I went to see it with absolutely loved it!!!
So that makes me old bitter.twisted and cynical I suppose - still happy to be me tho lol… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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5

michaelwallNov 16, 2018

Bang average romantic comedy. Feels fresh because it exposes audiences to a different culture but at its core, a formulaic plot, the writing was standard and still had a few laughs. Nothing special but enjoyable nonetheless. A littleBang average romantic comedy. Feels fresh because it exposes audiences to a different culture but at its core, a formulaic plot, the writing was standard and still had a few laughs. Nothing special but enjoyable nonetheless. A little overhyped perhaps!… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

ricardowillAug 19, 2018

Crazy Rich Asians will grab your attention from the start as it introduces an Asian woman and her family minus her husband checking in at a hotel they had booked only to be told that there wasn't a reservation and that they should seekCrazy Rich Asians will grab your attention from the start as it introduces an Asian woman and her family minus her husband checking in at a hotel they had booked only to be told that there wasn't a reservation and that they should seek accommodation in Chinatown by the White hotel staff. This incident stayed on my mind as I watched the movie unfold. Nick Young played by Henry Golding is filthy rich to the point where he can sit in a restaurant in New York with his girlfriend and someone can secretly take a selfie with him in the background and through Social Media, spark a global conversation about his wealth and his mysterious girlfriend. The problem with that is that his girlfriend Rachel Chu played by Constance Wu doesn't know that he is filthy rich. She accompanies him to Singapore to his friend's wedding and then discovers his status. I struggled with this premise. It didn't feel realistic especially as her friends knew instantly who he was. This is a romantic comedy that teenagers will fall in love with and with an All- Asian cast it is a refreshing optimistic hope that Hollywood is expanding its boundaries. The movie is a winner for the country of Singapore which is shown in all its beauty from day-life to nightlife. I had the pleasure of being at Singapore's International Airport in 1985 and it was beautiful then and it is still amazing. There are a lot of Asian jokes that I didn't find funny some of which played with the sound of the names. The actors did a great job although I found little chemistry between Constance Wu and Henry Goulding. Awkwafina as Peik Lin Goh and friend of Rachel was funny and great in her role. The theme of Crazy Rich Asians is about Class and it is interesting to see those who experienced discrimination being in a position to discriminate against others. It also explores the premise of not telling important things to loved ones and seeing the complications it causes when the truth is discovered. It also gives us a look into how the wealth of Singapore live and some insight into how being wealthy measure up to be happy. Material things are portrayed as the key to wealth and happiness in many scenes.
I found the script struggled on focus as we are at a friends wedding but the spotlight is thrown on Nick Youngs unknown girlfriend Rachel since he has never brought a girl home in the past and through it all, I feel like I'm watching Nick's wedding. In the end, "Crazy Rich Asians" is predictable, but don't read deep into it as I did. Just sit back an enjoy the beauty of Singapore and imagine that you are on a romantic vacation. I give Crazy Rich Asians a C.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

The3AcademySinsJun 20, 2019

There is a lot to enjoy in Crazy Rich Asians, and the high production value speaks volumes in the presentation of the opulent wealth of the cast. From a screenplay perspective, Crazy Rich Asians sticks to tried and true or cliche RomanticThere is a lot to enjoy in Crazy Rich Asians, and the high production value speaks volumes in the presentation of the opulent wealth of the cast. From a screenplay perspective, Crazy Rich Asians sticks to tried and true or cliche Romantic Comedy tropes, and isn't surprising or fresh. However, there are definite chuckles to be had.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

tp122Sep 6, 2018

Apart from the fact that it is an Asian cast, something new and laudable, it is actually a rather dull and predictable 'boy meets girl, family disapproves, boy loses girl then gets her back in time for the happy ending'. Has been done aApart from the fact that it is an Asian cast, something new and laudable, it is actually a rather dull and predictable 'boy meets girl, family disapproves, boy loses girl then gets her back in time for the happy ending'. Has been done a thousand times on Hallmark channel alone. There are maybe 3 decent laughs and the rest is so 'sincere' and sappy I practically got diabetes. The cast was game,photography beautiful, but the script awful.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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4

TrevorsViewSep 6, 2018

I understand why this became among the summer’s hottest hits, its entertaining, funny story defies the overly White image of Hollywood, and appeals to the deepest desires of everyone who love seeing rich movie characters living an idealI understand why this became among the summer’s hottest hits, its entertaining, funny story defies the overly White image of Hollywood, and appeals to the deepest desires of everyone who love seeing rich movie characters living an ideal lifestyle. Does that automatically label Crazy Rich Asians as decent? Well, it does keep to a standard no-risk level like that of any romantic comedy released during the summer, although it still got its various charms…

The protagonist, Rachel, a first-generation Chinese American, has been named a “banana,” yellow on the outside, White on the inside, with an appearance to match her situation perfectly; her hairstyle resembles a classic US magazine fashion cover, though she being middle class still looks ordinary enough. Her façade works once she travels with her boyfriend, Nick, to Singapore, where everyone she meets has a more sophisticated standard of beauty. That goes as well to her old blonde friend she visits, played by the funniest actress, Awkwafina, who is a pure gold persimmon: yellow inside and out.

You feel Rachel’s awkwardness when she meets the world of wealthy living, which helps later as it justifies when her heart gets broken. It comes in a situation for her when everyone is having a wonderful time celebrating the room’s most adorable couple, yet she’s too caught up in her own trouble to pretend she’s happy too. Here, a devastatingly strong #MeToo moment informs you why many, such as her mother, come to America from other countries.

I can’t really call it effective in the long run however, because the filmmaking is as bland as every rom-com ever made. Any hint of visual creativity from the cinematography is in a zesty montage of stylish modern text graphics, a creative oversaturated style never done again later. In fact, the montage is unfit for the film’s intentional feel of sophisticated living contrasted against poor living. The experience consequently feels far more American than Asian, especially with how the events play out, when personal pleasure (an American value) is proven to be greater than family (an Asian value- the movie’s words, not mine). No amount of joyless establishing shots relishing in Singapore’s great landmarks can make this film any less American than it clearly is.

In fact, the finished product didn’t really need a PG-13 rating, nor should have it aimed for one, because the subject matter would most likely bore teenagers into scrolling through Instagram while still in the theater. An R-rating honestly would’ve resulted in a sincerer telling of the events without the pressure to win over a wide family market. With that pressure present, the script based on Kevin Kwan’s novel presses a hypocritical theme irrelevant to older generations, saying that being young, rich, and beautiful is more important than family. To shut older viewers off even more, anybody over the age of fifty acts either cold, goofy, or one of those two traits one act then another the next.

But to be fair, when it comes to portraying the look of rich people in Singapore, the costumes’ grandness comes off very much authentic. Costume designer Mary E. Vogt honors Chinese culture with several clever details coming straight out of Chinese culture: Blue and white is for Chinese funerals, and Red represents fertility! You are guaranteed to keep track easily of everything the characters wear, which helps strengthen the comedy since everyone is so identifiable. I should also comment on the bride’s blooming dress, a true work of craftmanship that along with water glistening the isle she walks across, and artificial fireflies held by the crowd, took my breath away!

It’s things like this that tempts me to travel to Singapore, as Jon M. Chu’s direction shows clear love to its tourist destinations, especially with the attention put into crustacean meals and closeup shots on dumpling making! But at the same time, I must remind myself that the food lingered on results from a dreadful editing job, one so bad that it even overlooks when hands change positions between shots! I can only imagine how many meaningful scenes of Rachel meeting Nick’s relatives landed on the cutting room floor for tourist servitude. Worst of all, just when you think the picture will end in a different, mature way from other fantasy-driven romantic comedies, nope! The entire last five minutes suddenly hammers a dumb Hollywood climax, one that could’ve and should’ve been cut to better results.

Now listen, you can still celebrate the diversifying of Hollywood, yet there’s something non-race related about this movie I want to make very clear: Unlike what Crazy Rich Asians thinks, you don’t need a fancy dress to be happy, because true joy comes from your loved ones. A wedding involves not cake or decorations but binding together a couple who deeply loves each other. Anything physical lasts one day. A marriage lasts a lifetime.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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6

tropicAcesAug 15, 2018

It’s a little basic in its execution, and the main couple don’t share the same chemistry as say Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, but the production design is fantastic and Awkwafina steals every scene she’s in.

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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5

amheretojudgeAug 28, 2018

a satisfying closure..

Crazy Rich Asians Crazy Rich Asians is a plot driven romcom that reboots mediocrity with finesse. The so-called under extinction genre, gets a savior this time along with the hyped summer movies category. But all ofa satisfying closure..

Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians is a plot driven romcom that reboots mediocrity with finesse. The so-called under extinction genre, gets a savior this time along with the hyped summer movies category. But all of it is satisfied and coated with commercial aspects to lure the audience in, where within those two hours, there is a genuine thirty minutes of good in it. Brimmed with humor, ancient trading, cheesy shots and one dimensional sketchy characters, it is thoroughly entertaining to the core, despite of the flaws. The morality conflicts in here isn't something new and neither is any sub-plot, but blending it all in and dressing it up with expensive clothes; literally, it offers a safer ride to the audience. The tiny surprising ticks of the feature, is its metaphorical sequences that it stages on screen and even the weaving of it is clearly visible, it is utterly pleasing to experience it on screen. The long stares across a room, over chewing the manipulative emotions and filling in the spaces with one-liners shucks away the intensity and undermines the momentum. The background score and editing may not be up to the mark but the songs are up beating with blinged costume designing and huge production design that is definitely alluring. The adaptation may not be smart but is gripping and able to hold the audience with a satisfactory smile on the face. The feature politically fits somehow considering the sensitive issues, the world is going through, the track touches the appropriate nerve of the audience. Chu's world is sassy, brave and ironical in a way that fiddles with contradictory nature like a pro. Wu and Golding's troubled portrayal is supported well enough by Yeoh and hilarious Awkwafina. A knack for imputing rich tradition, show stealing one-liners and popped up political references are the high points of the feature. Crazy Rich Asians is a satisfying closure to the plethora of summer blunders but on terms of craft, it doesn't change a dime.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

eberman123Aug 17, 2018

I was really looking forward to this movie. The movie is ok but nothing special. The acting is solid but the story seems too formulaic and trite.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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6

JLuis_001Aug 26, 2018

The truth is that I had enough desire to watch this film and not because the story really interested me because for what I had seen in the trailers, I wasn't really impressed, but I wanted to see it for something that has been worrying me forThe truth is that I had enough desire to watch this film and not because the story really interested me because for what I had seen in the trailers, I wasn't really impressed, but I wanted to see it for something that has been worrying me for a while and unfortunately this film came to confirm it: American critics are more concerned now with getting along with minorities than actually criticizing films for what they are.

Crazy Richs Asians is an all-basic romantic comedy, in every sense. The extravagance and wealth that is shown on the screen is just a narrative plus considering the kind of family from which one of the protagonists comes from.

This film is nothing more than just another romantic comedy. It's entertaining within the most basic fields. You'll have some laughs but there's nothing memorable or worth mentioning or something that makes it stand out with the exception that its cast is completely Asian.

Diversity matters, a lot, but don't disguise it as quality. Imagine if this film was called Crazy Rich Whites, that everything in the film was the same. The story, the characters, the cliches, the stereotypes. All of it. Would they have criticize the film the same way? Would it have gotten the same praise?
That's the real question that should be asked.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

jonslowDec 6, 2018

The side story about his cousin rich family should have been better. I found it rush and not really relevant to the main characters. I'm not the fan of romantic comedy movie and this one didn't hook me much my satisfying but other do like "Yes Man".

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

TyranianOct 8, 2019

Reasonably entertaining and well-acted though has some questionable story elements.