It’s no secret that I’ve always had a problem with certain (actually, most) local movie and series productions, so when Netflix approached us to review Collision, I was a bit hesitant. Collision is the streaming giant’s latest local production set to officially hit the scene from June 16. It seems like ages ago when the first local production under the Netflix banner was first announced.
That of course came in shape of Queen Sono, which if you read my official review, you’ll know that I wasn’t a huge fan, and that’s putting it very politely. But, an improvement was seen, coming in the shape of Blood & Water, which I’m still a fan of, so when it came to Collision (with the hope that it was more along the lines of the latter than the former) I pulled myself towards myself and decided to check it out.
Before I get into my full thoughts, let’s first explain what this one is all about. Collision is set on the eve of a post-Apartheid Freedom Day celebration where a multi-car pile-up in downtown Johannesburg sees an army veteran and a housewife’s daughter trapped in the trunk of a notorious gangster car. Meanwhile, at the same time, in another part of town, a spaza shop owner plans out a perfect life with his perfect daughter, who is hiding a huge secret from him that leads to life-altering consequences. Things collide, and nothing is as it seems.
Naturally, the key cast is all local consisting of Langley Kirkwood, Vuyo Dabula, Zoey Sneedon, Mpho Sebeng, Siphesihle Vazi, Tessa Jubber, Samke Makhoba and Pheello Kotelo.
So, as much as the synopsis is a bit all over the place, the actual movie itself is, if I’m being honest, equally the same if not worse. I’m not quite sure what the whole point of it is. Collision is a mess and having struggled through it to the end, I can’t for the life of me figure out how it got beyond the conceptual phase. If that sounds too harsh then I’m sorry but I’m just being honest, and similar to my issues with Queen Sono, I somehow think that we (in 2022) should have gotten to the stage of producing better quality. In Vuyo Dabula’s case, who’s probably the main drawcard and the most high profile, this is a waste of his talents.
There are a couple of elements that just don’t work here, from the pacing of the movie, to the story line, and the acting which at times was found wanting. I commend Netflix for continuing to support local productions and I hope this continues because it’s great exposure for everyone involved, however, if budgets are going to be spent and effort is going to be put in then I somehow think we’ve got to do better.
In every review, especially the not so great ones, I try to find something positive… in this instance I’ve thought about it and I’m honestly struggling to think of anything. In what I had hoped to be a good experience, quickly evaporated 30 minutes into the movie. I would be interested to see what others think of it, and despite my views, please watch it to find out if you view it differently and be sure to let me know if you do. Maybe, on my part, I was having an off day but I very much doubt it.
Thank you to Netflix for the pre-screener, despite the experience this time around, we appreciate it as usual.
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