Watch The Big Bang

The Big Bang is a 2010 neo-noir crime thriller that follows the journey of a private detective from Los Angeles named Ned Cruz (played by Antonio Banderas) as he investigates the disappearance of a stripper named Lexie Persimmon. The movie takes place in a metaphysical universe where parallel dimensions, quantum mechanics, and other scientific concepts converge with the seedy underworld of LA crime.

The movie begins with Cruz being hired by Lexie's former lover, a Russian boxer named Anton Protopov (played by Robert Maillet). Initially, Cruz is hesitant to take up the case, suspecting that it is a ruse by his ex-partner, Detective Poley (played by Thomas Kretschmann), to trap him in a drug deal gone wrong. However, Cruz eventually decides to take up the case, partly because he is intrigued by Lexie's description of a hidden 'big bang' that could change the fate of the universe.

Cruz's investigation takes him through a labyrinthine journey that involves a colorful cast of characters, including an eccentric billionaire named Simon Kestral (played by Bill Duke), a tattooed dwarf with a penchant for explosives named Johnny Nova (played by Autumn Reeser), and an enigmatic physicist named Fay Neman (played by Sienna Guillory). Along the way, Cruz discovers dark secrets about the Russian mafia, the LAPD, and the nature of reality itself.

One of the standout features of the movie is its stylish cinematography, which blends film noir aesthetics with postmodern elements. The use of split-screen shots, slow motion sequences, and neon lights creates a dreamlike atmosphere that amplifies the surrealism of the narrative. The movie also employs a non-linear narrative structure, with frequent flashbacks and flash-forwards that add to the sense of disorientation.

The performances are uniformly strong, with Banderas delivering a nuanced portrayal of a flawed hero grappling with his own demons. Kretschmann is appropriately slimy as the corrupt cop, while Fichtner steals the show as the mysterious and enigmatic 'lizard man,' who seems to exist in multiple dimensions at once.

The script, penned by Erik Jendresen, weaves together strands of science fiction, crime drama, and existential philosophy in a heady concoction. At times, the plot can be convoluted and hard to follow, but the movie rewards attentive viewers with a satisfying resolution that ties together the various threads of the narrative.

Overall, The Big Bang is an ambitious genre-bending movie that attempts to fuse hard science with hard-boiled crime fiction. While it may not be to everyone's taste, those who appreciate its dizzying blend of style and substance will find it to be a singular cinematic experience.

The Big Bang is a 2010 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 25.