“Missing” updates the techniques and surprises of “Searching” in a more exciting sequel than popcorn

With the huge number of screens that accompany us on a daily basis, very few films are made directly with them. Definitely ‘Missing’ is the weirdest premiere of the weekend, but also one of the funniest. There are few examples of this technique, although the ones that do exist are quite noteworthy: Nacho Vigalondo created the intense ‘Open Windows’ or ‘Eliminated’ on a computer, which became a youth phenomenon with a simple Skype video call . Open so many possibilities for a format that has not yet reached the boom as did 3D or the most similar to understand it: the found footage or the footage found by a video camera.

One of the spearheads to promote its marketing would be ‘Searching’, a small but acclaimed film for less than a million dollars which raised 75 million. In the face of this success with critics and audiences, Sony has once again relied on young first-time directors (Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick) to Sticking its sequel to the present as much as possible, both in recording technique and in the plot it hides.

Digital thriller made in 2023

Before considering any technical fantasy, the first step is to think about whether it makes sense for the story. Reversing the roles from the first, it is now the daughter looking for the mother, so the abundant technological knowledge is much more justified (it was hardly believable that John Cho was suddenly a computer expert). June (Storm Reid) is a normal digital native teenager with whom the main target of the film will be able to identify from minute 0 speaking the same language. It’s not at all easy to portray current events with so little distance, but the screenplay, also written by the directors, avoids any cliché and creates a very successful generational portrait, both in techniques and in attitudes. The 5 years compared to the original were enough to notice a huge qualitative leap in the recording techniques used. The realization boasts many visual innovations with technical resources so detailed that the film could be the best promotion in the history of the Apple brand.

Just because he’s juvenile doesn’t mean he has to be silly or shut out the rest of the audience. Both to cover a wider demographic spectrum and to make it easier to understand a production that we are not at all used to, the directors make ‘Missing’ easy to follow despite its multiple simultaneous tabs and at the same time very entertaining despite having only one frame on which zooms are performed. The cinematic language based on stories, tweets and what’s apps on computers, phones and smart watches is so electric and works so well that it is very sad that it stays longer in the beginning and forget both during the investigation. However, the whole film has a steady pace that makes it devilishly entertaining and rousing from start to finish, with some very original technical innovations, such as that international security camera or the hiring of cleaning services. If ‘Missing’ were to be defined in one word, it would be vibrant.

Predictable turns into a magnificent resolution

What is the story that unites the extraordinary variety of exhibits presented? Storm Reid shines in all, presenting the most commercial version of that character, already so his as a helpless teenager as in ‘Euphoria’ or ‘The Last of Us’. Will Smith’s girlfriend in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, Nia Long, knows how to give the weight of love to the few background shots and the vocal notes that the video gives her to justify the importance of her disappearance. The partner in this quest, Joaquim de Almeida, knows how to go from comedy to drama very naturally and plays a very funny subplot with a nice moral and becomes the most endearing character in the film. During the 110 minutes of footage, there was nothing left of any of these characters.

With this length, you can give yourself time to layer on the bold underlying theme that makes sense to it all. This pace of gradual disclosure of information goes a long way in building a good storyline that feels important. Because it’s. This staggered editing and script completely immerses us in the dangers of relationships, both online and personal, and where they can end up if they don’t take care of themselves. While all of this is more entertaining than profound, we ultimately discover that the film has a lot of heartas much for those things that have been planted from the beginning as for the continuous rounds that are given to it.

Up until that shocking ending, the rest of the development is more popcorn than deep with several isolated tracks. ‘Missing’ loses the novelty and impact of ‘Searching’ by over-repeating its formulas: they are not the same twists, but the same kind of surprises. You already expect the unexpected and hidden tricks of false identities, betrayals… The basic scheme is so similar that it could even be a remake rather than a sequel. Without being as original and revolutionary as its predecessor, it follows in its wake with maximum commitment and an electric rhythm of constant curves.plus a very cool update of the technical means to be an accurate and not at all formulaic time capsule of its preview period. ‘Missing leaves less residue, but the fact that it is more commercial makes it more entertaining than ‘Searching’ and does not prevent it from becoming a fantastic thriller that runs like a rocket, recommended for all audiences and overcoming the usual failure of many twisted thrillers like this: knowing how to finish. What a beautiful message awaits viewers at the end of this more than memorable digital adventure which will start on February 24 in theaters.

Note:7

The best: Its vibrant rhythm from minute 0 and its deep resolution.

Worse: Follows too much the formula ‘Search’ in the mystery.