‘They Cloned Tyrone’ Movie Review: A Creative And Well-Acted, Yet Uneven, Sci-Fi Outing
Photo from Netflix
From Joe Peltzer
An intriguing sci-fi clone adventure that mixed blaxploitation with a “big brother” story a la The Cabin in the Woods, They Clone Tyrone excels due to the performances and humor, but ultimately buckles under the pressure of completing the original idea.
In the film, a drug dealer (John Boyega), a pimp (Jamie Foxx), and a prostitute (Teyonah Parris) slowly uncover a government conspiracy focused on the control of the public through unique means. Writer/director Juel Taylor has assembled the dynamic trio here in Bodega, Foxx, and Parris with their chemistry an addictive site from beginning to end. They each bring a different personality, Boyega focused and intense, Foxx the comedic , selfish relief, and Parris the loose cannon who is all-in on their unassigned mission wand determined to kick ass. Boyega has a heavy lift, without getting into why, and continues his trend of impressive performances (following Breaking and The Woman King). Foxx and Parris are fully engulfed in their characters and give it their all in making They Cloned Tyrone work.
The film itself is dark and gritty, the settings mixing neighborhood staples (pawn shop, church) with futuristic accompaniments that remind you that this is actually a sci-fi film. Humorous moments of discovery by the trio, rooted in the use of Black stereotypes, keep the story light, but they run counter to the more serious plot unraveling throughout, finally explained in the closing minutes. The result is tonal confusion that creates a roller coaster of interest. Once we know that clones are involved and Kiefer Sutherland’s nefarious character confirms suspicions, we’re left without much more to work with until, again, the closing minutes. Taylor lays an incredible foundation with a clever meta social commentary, but once the shine wears off, the rest of what is presented is uneven.
Still, They Cloned Tyrone is a fun Netflix watch and a showcase for the acting chops of its three stars. It certainly leaves you with unanswered questions, leaving interested to see if Netflix builds out the story in future films.
Rating: 3/5
They Cloned Tyrone is now streaming on Netflix.
