Directed by Panos Cosmatos and starring the legendary madman, Nicolas Cage, comes “Mandy”. A two hour thriller fueled by fire and coursing with heavy metals that corrode many of the lucid frames that make up the film. “Mandy” never shies away from embracing it’s personality right from the start. Fully aware of what type of world, characters, and story that we’ll journey with through a color palette plastered with daring pinks, blood red, and crushing blues. Emulating a pulsing sense of euphoria and a realm similar to an Alice in Wonderland spin-off. A realm that is roaring with foreign sounds backed by the final score composition from the late Johann Johannsson. A score composition that is surely led by Hell’s organs. Haunting each fade to black and transition to unexpected sequences of animation. Partnered alongside those organs is a spiritual elegance that adds another dimension to this grim tale of revenge. Johansson was a master at his craft and Cosmatos mentioned in the weeks up to Mandy’s release, “How he felt like their partnership was only just beginning and how he could see Johansson's personality and love for heavy metal music be implemented into his film.” On a negative note, “Mandy” does struggle in one of the most important aspects of film-making, and that is the story. While “Mandy” is a brilliant technical marvel, the story it tells is severely underwhelming for the content that is put on display. Usually revenge stories manage to integrate seamless enticing qualities, but it feels relatively shallow here. The narrative is ultimately the equivalent to what type of depth you’d get in a music video. Lots of stunning effects and visceral camerawork, but there isn’t much emphasis on story. While music videos essentially focus on utilizing their visuals to capture the tone and meaning of the lyrics, “Mandy” is first and foremost a film, and there is far too much value in narrative to not deliver on it. Many filmmakers have accomplished a rare feat in delivering phantom narratives and utilizing camerawork to convey the meaning, but “Mandy” doesn’t have that expertise behind the lens to deliver such an achievement. In a film that has loads to talk about, it would mean all the more to truly feel impacted by a more powerful story. “Mandy” is a technical grand slam. A bloody feast with cinematography that utilizes sublime lighting techniques that are sure to stun audiences for decades to come. The sound editing and mixing is a cavern of chill inducing sounds that echo off the borders of the frames like a bat out of Hell. The aforementioned score is another masterpiece from Johansson and he leaves us with one of the most unique works from a composer this generation has yet to see. Having not mentioned Nicolas Cage up to this point has been a disservice to his complete investment into this role. Delivering teeth gritting anger and emotional sorrow, Cage showcases the range many thinks he lacks. The final hour goes full Cage and Cosmatos lets the tiger loose for a raging blood bath. Despite missing an integral part to the medium, “Mandy” is a must-see motion picture for film fanatics and Nic Cage die hards. This is sure to settle your cravings for the weird in “Hollyweird”. “Mandy” gets a 75/100