The Russo brothers became household names for many Marvel fans after directing four of the biggest films in the MCU: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). It’s no wonder, then, that Netflix was willing to give them a $320 million budget to create a science fiction action-adventure starring pop franchise superstars Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown and featuring a slew of high profile supporting actors. With unilaterally negative reviews from critics and a decent but far from record-breaking streaming numbers, is Electric State proof that the Russo brothers no longer have a golden touch?

On this episode of The Long Take Review, Greg and I debate this very question, as we unpack why this film was not a hit. What worked and didn’t work for us? What other films does this one remind us of? And what do we think this film is trying to say about robots, our relationship with technology, or shaggy haircuts? It’s all here in the shortest episode we’ve ever recorded.

We go into SPOILER MODE around the 16:22 minute mark. If you are still undecided as to whether or not you want to sneak into the Exclusion Zone with us, you can listen safely until then.

Image Credit: New York Times

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