CHEER! - (9 stars out of 10)

Rating: 9/10 (13 February 2020)

The stage curtains open ...
In the age of NCIS, Law & Order, CSI, and True Detective, we are treated to this fun and engaging throwback to the classic "Whodunit" with the film, "Knives Out". I have to admit, I had my share of trepidation going into this one. Because, lately, whenever we are given this kind of movie, it always has a distinct "made-for-TV" feel to it. Not the case here. This mystery has all the thrills and magic of a silver screen production. In short, it delivers!
Featuring an all-star cast, "Knives Out" is the story of one very corrupt family who lust after the patriarch's considerable wealth and holdings. And when he is discovered dead one morning, the victim of an apparent suicide, everyone is suspect. Except for his ever vigilant and dutiful nurse, who happens to be the one person who carries the most revealing secret. It falls upon private detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), to uncover the dastardly crime at its core and set things right.
This is more than just a throwback to a style of years gone by. Yes, it is shades of "Murder, She Wrote", and Agatha Christie's writings, but this is not an homage. It is a resurrection. We may be entering the next golden age of the "Whodunit" mystery. There are already plans of, not only a sequel, but a franchise of movies centered around Benoit Blanc. Now, the trick will be to keep the same intrigue and appeal that this movie has.
I highly recommend "Knives Out". Even if you are of a generation that is focused on the inner workings of a crime special unit or an FBI profiler, complete with autopsies, ballistics and dna testing, you would enjoy the simplicity of this good old fashioned mystery caper. An instant favorite, and one I will be sure to watch again and again, this comes in at a very strong 9 stars out of 10.