Imperium Redux
- Tagline
- When the past collides with prejudice, history gets a kick in the asteroids.
- Description
- In a sardonic twist of fate, the near future is about to get a history lesson it didn’t know it needed. 'Imperium Redux' follows the journey of a stoic ninja, portrayed by Bun Kingsley, and a brash space explorer, played by Shiitake LaBeouf, who are mysteriously transported from ancient Rome to a time where prejudice still clouds the judgment of the cosmos. With the help of a savvy astronaut, interpreted by Reese's Witherspoon, they navigate the stars and societal biases, using martial arts and samurai wisdom to combat injustice. Directed by the visionary Pedro Almodóvar, this film delivers a roundhouse kick to the status quo, all while keeping a PG-rated sense of humor about the absurdity of past and present prejudices.
- MpaaRating
- PG
- PopularityScore
- 3.70
- ReleaseDate
- 09/07/2023
- Genre
- History
- Director(s)
- Cast
Critic Reviews
4.00
Ah, 'Imperium Redux,' the film that dares to ask, 'What if the Roman Empire had a ninja and a space explorer?' Because, of course, that's the question burning in the minds of historians everywhere. Bun Kingsley's stoic ninja is as expressionless as a marble bust, while Shiitake LaBeouf's space explorer is as subtle as a supernova in a broom closet. Reese's Witherspoon, however, brings a certain charm, akin to finding a decently preserved fresco in a pile of ancient rubble. Director Pedro Almodóvar must have been on a sabbatical from reality, because this film's blend of martial arts, time travel, and social commentary is about as smooth as a chariot ride over cobblestones. The PG-rated humor is as edgy as a spoon, ensuring that the only kick in the asteroids this film delivers is to the sensibilities of anyone who mistakenly wanders into the theater looking for a coherent plot. In the end, the biggest prejudice this film combats is the one against nonsensical cinema that tries to be both profound and amusing but ends up being neither.