Absolutely Anything (2017): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Absolutely Anything is a 2017 sci-fi comedy starring Simon Pegg, Eddie Izzard and Joanna Lumley. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes. Critics gave it 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 31 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 25m (85 min)
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Atlas Distribution Company
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Absolutely Anything About?
The premise of Absolutely Anything without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Humanity faces potential extinction, leading an unusual alien council to bestow Simon Pegg with extraordinary power: the ability to do absolutely anything, unbound by rules or consequences. Now tasked with proving Earth's value, this ordinary man must rise to the challenge and demonstrate why the planet deserves to be saved, all while grappling with the implications of unlimited power.
Absolutely Anything Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- alien
- talking animal
- body transformation
- teacher
- whiskey bottle
- whiskey
- big ears
- police
- bus
- human eats dog food
- dinner
- harassment
+38 more Show fewer
- classroom
- school
- dog
- bicycle accident
- london england
- voyager probe
- title spoken by character
- dog poo
- human skeleton
- crashing through a window
- worshipping someone
- dog biscuit
- london bus
- tied to a chair
- gagged
- hiding in a wardrobe
- jumping off a bridge
- supernatural power
- webbed feet
- godlike power
- reference to albert einstein
- wish
- pink
- teleportation
- eating dog food
- soup
- love
- talking dog
- man dog relationship
- feces
- excrement
- bicycle
- novelist
- dream sequence
- space probe
- rocket
- barking
- year 1972
Absolutely Anything Cast
Simon Pegg leads the cast, with Eddie Izzard and Joanna Lumley.
Also Starring in Absolutely Anything
· 6 moreAbsolutely Anything Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Absolutely Anything 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 31 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (35).
Absolutely Anything Echo Score Breakdown
The overall reception of Absolutely Anything is mixed with a lean toward disappointment. Critics generally criticized its plot coherence and comedic execution, noting labored slapstick and unfulfilled potential despite a notable ensemble. User feedback is divided, with some viewers finding sporadic laughs and appreciating the cast’s chemistry while others found the humor outdated and the pacing uneven. The film’s strengths in production design and performances are insufficient to offset its narrative shortcomings. Overall, the film yields modest engagement with limited replay value.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 45
In terms of art and craft, Absolutely Anything demonstrates sporadic creativity but uneven execution. The film’s special effects and production design showcase imaginative alien milieus, while cinematography remains serviceable yet uninspired. Direction by Terry Jones reflects playful ambition, though editing choices sometimes undercut comedic timing. Overall, the visual and technical elements offer occasional interest but lack consistent refinement.
- Character & Emotion 55
When it comes to character and emotion, Absolutely Anything features a capable ensemble whose talents are unevenly leveraged. Simon Pegg’s portrayal retains his trademark affability, and cameo appearances inject occasional vitality. However, underdeveloped roles limit emotional resonance, and inconsistent chemistry between leads diminishes viewer investment. Consequently, character depth feels underexplored amid the film’s broader structural issues.
- Story & Flow 35
As for story and flow, the film struggles with coherence and engagement throughout. Critics note that labored slapstick and groan-worthy twists hinder narrative momentum, while several users found the plot predictable and lacking substance. Pacing alternates between brisk comedic set pieces and sluggish exposition. In sum, the story offers sparse originality and fails to sustain consistent interest.
- Sensory Experience 60
In terms of sensory experience, Absolutely Anything presents a mix of audio-visual elements with varied success. The soundtrack aligns appropriately with comedic beats, and sound design is clear though unremarkable. Visually, occasional creative touches—particularly in alien environments—stand out, yet overall visual style lacks cohesion. The sensory components support the film’s mood but do not leave a strong impression.
- Rewatch Factor 50
Regarding rewatch factor, the film yields limited appeal for repeated viewing. Some viewers appreciate its brief runtime and sporadic humor, while others report the comedic impact diminishes quickly. The novelty of ensemble cameos offers momentary incentive, but narrative weaknesses reduce lasting engagement. Overall, the movie’s rewatch value remains modest, suited mainly to casual viewing occasions.
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IMDb 6.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 20% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 37%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 31 Metascore
User score 5.5
See on Metacritic -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Absolutely Anything Plot Summary
What happens in Absolutely Anything from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As the alien galactic council debates the fate of humanity while examining a space probe filled with the essence of human secrets, they face a dilemma: should they destroy Earth or integrate humans into their interstellar community? To test the integrity of this strange species, they inexplicably bestow unparalleled power upon one unsuspecting soul. This individual turns out to be Neil Clarke, an overlooked teacher residing in London.
Full summary
The whole story of Absolutely Anything, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Absolutely Anything?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What does Neil Clarke initially wish for using his newfound powers?
Cars in Absolutely Anything
17 cars on screen, including the 2010 Bentley Mulsanne and the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse A207.
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2010 Bentley Mulsanne Important role -
2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse A207 Important role -
2016 BMW 7 G12 Minor role -
1991 Cagiva Moke Minor role
Seen Absolutely Anything?
Movies Like Absolutely Anything
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Alien Apocalypse, Unbelievable!!!!! and Dr. Alien.
Absolutely Anything FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Absolutely Anything, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Absolutely Anything?
Absolutely Anything runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).
When was Absolutely Anything released?
Absolutely Anything was released on May 12, 2017.
Who is in the cast of Absolutely Anything?
Absolutely Anything stars Simon Pegg, Eddie Izzard and Joanna Lumley, among 10 credited actors.
How is Absolutely Anything rated?
Absolutely Anything has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, 31 on Metacritic and 3.0/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Absolutely Anything have a post-credit scene?
No. Absolutely Anything has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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