Observe Paul Thomas Anderson directing one scene after another in new behind-the-scenes footage.

      The week has finally arrived. Paul Thomas Anderson’s highly anticipated film One Battle After Another is set to hit theaters this weekend, and after watching it twice, I can affirm that the anticipation was justified. It’s a remarkable blend of action and comedy that boldly addresses America’s political issues. Anderson captures the spirit of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland while creating a unique adaptation. With the Friday release approaching, Warner Bros. has shared some behind-the-scenes footage, showcasing PTA directing his extraordinary cast. (Also, remember to stay until the credits conclude this weekend.)

      In David Katz's review, he remarked, “Political urgency, contemporary culture-war themes, and unabashedly excited espionage figures: this is what Anderson embraces in One Battle After Another. From my initial viewing, he has crafted a largely thrilling populist action film characterized by some of his most striking cinematic techniques and coherent storytelling, though it lacks the dark beauty and depth found in his finest works. The characters we are prompted to support are suitably inspiring and energizing; the villains portrayed are despicable white-supremacist thugs (dressed in executive boardroom attire alongside camo); the moral distinctions can be as clear as in Star Wars, whose mythos and emphasis on dynastic legacies seem intentionally reflected in Anderson's work (including martial arts references). However, what truly makes it effective and resonant as an exhilarating (and hopefully appealing) commercial endeavor is successfully hitting these narrative keys and getting the storytelling mechanisms in motion, along with the cars on the looping desert highways.”

      Check out the behind-the-scenes video below, along with more photos from the set taken by PTA himself, and a clip of loading an IMAX 70mm reel.