"“Non-stop gags, with an unrelenting display of moronic, nonsensical material...”"

Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar has always managed to incorporate political elements into his otherwise melodramatic, surrealistic cinema style. Whether it be the implications of Francisco Franco's militant regime in the likes of Live Flesh, or the impact of religious schooling in Bad Education – or even the incriminating acts surrounding bullfighting in Talk to Her. He so oftyen manages to bring in severe, contemporary themes and dress them up in a lavish, grandiose setting, and never has this been so evident as in his latest feature I'm So Excited, as he now tackles the financial meltdown in the only way he knows how; as a riotously entertaining and downright bonkers comedy film.

The Peninsula Flight 2549 is a metaphor of the economic climate: flying around aimlessly, with the possibility of crashing at any time. Aboard this plane – which has suffered a technical fault and is unsure of where to land – are the camp cabin crew Joserra (Javier Cámara), Fajas (Carlos Areces) and Ulloa (Raúl Arévalo), all desperately hoping to keep the business class passengers calm (everyone else has been drugged and sent to sleep). With the possibility of death looming over them all, it allows the chance for this eclectic range of people to find clarity within their lives, as we weave between their personal stories and problems, one by one.

In what is Almodóvar's most definable comedy yet, I'm So Excited is designed in such a way where it's non-stop gags, with an unrelenting display of moronic, nonsensical material. Such an approach is perfectly acceptable, and particularly when so many films that are released deal with intense themes and set-out to make you feel morbidly depressed, it's actually somewhat refreshing to witness such an absurd, blithesome film – yet to justify this, you've got to ensure that the comedy is of a high standard, and sadly, this simply isn't the cast at all.

The jokes themselves are just too elementary and cheap, as a film lacking in any intellectual or meaningful spark. Almodóvar is, at his core, a storyteller and this simply isn't an interesting story, in no way helped along with the intertwining narratives, as we struggle to fully embrace any one particular character. There is just no overall depth to this title, and while you hope and expect this feature to round up succinctly and purposely at the finale, you leave disappointed, as this is exactly what is looks like on the cover – there is very little going on behind the scenes.

It is increasingly difficult when dealing with a filmmaker of Almodóvar's standing, not to draw comparisons to his illustrious body of work. When a director has given you the likes of Talk to Her, All About My Mother and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, you can be forgiven for expecting something a little more, well, Almodóvar. This is just lacking in that emotional punch that he often provides for his fans, free of the dark and disturbing undercurrents which so often outline his feature films.

Frothy and effervescent, you do just have to take I'm So Excited for what it is, and as long as you go in expecting something cheap and cheerful, this could be an enjoyable trip to the cinema. However if you are a big fan of the filmmaker's work, just be aware that the standard has certainly dropped, and seeing as we only get a new Almodóvar every other year, this does feel like a waste somewhat. Fingers crossed in two years time he'll go back to his dark and disturbing ways. It's better that way.