Matt Johnson is not afraid to bring his creative visions to lifeand bring realism to the table. He brought his audience on a visually real adventure with BlackBerry in 2023. He was successful at showcasing the stress and suspense of actual events. Some of Johnson’s writing is sketchy and all over the place, but he is a master at tying his characters and their quotes together in a way that brings misdirection to the highest level. His new film, Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie, is like a lengthy sketch comedy show, but with the right number of jokes and continuity which works.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie has seven individuals with writing credits, but the two main writers are also the stars themselves. Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol are what makes the film a treasure. It is a mockumentary that has a lot of dazzling features. Matt and Jay are a duo that combine for a masterclass in comedy that will bring laughs around the world. Think about Back to the Future with writing that feels scribbled, because the comedy moves in a direction that makes even scribbled elements brilliant.

The setting is Toronto, Canada. The friends have a time machineand plan to perform at a venue called The Rivoli. They repeatedly think of acts or stunts to attract an audience that will allow their dream to come true. The dynamics between Matt and Jay make Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie so irresistible. The Canadian adventures lead to successful 3-ring circus thanks to the creative genius of Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol.

One of their plans is to do a high dive into a dome. Their idea has risks, but building a fanbase is most important. Their dreams hit plateaus in their time machine that blow audiences out of the water. The duo ends up in the year 2008. The two friends/collaborators bring in innovative aspects that areexhilarating and keep audiences laughing from head to toe. The Rivoli is their calling but ending up in different time zones back in the future leads to the most meaning.

The film is quirky and resilient because the gags are endless. The time machine leads to many moments of trial and error that offer new and exciting situations throughout Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. The saying, “If you build it, they will come,” does not come around easily in Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. Without the two-man sketch components this movie would not be nearly so wonderful.  The film loops in so many moments from 2008 which is brought me so much joy during this comedy. At times, it felt like a twisted Back to the Future. I will not spoil it, but Johnson knows realism, and how to make it purposeful, serious, and yet hysterical. There are stereotypes, movie references, hidden jokes—and they all work in a structured context with syrupy entertainment. Four out of four stars for Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.