The GLASS ONION-Peel Away Layers and There's Nothing There

I went into seeing GLASS ONION hoping to enjoy it more than I did KNIVES OUT.  Both films are written and directed by Ryan Johnson and received raves from critics.  Spoiler - I think they both stink; especially GLASS ONION.  At least with KNIVES OUT there was a grizzly death at the start of the film that drew me in as did the cast and the atmosphere.  In GLASS ONION there's no there, except for a terrific cast that's not given any convincing script to glaze over the cracks in the preposterous plot for a movie that's not so hot.  Still, the performances by Kate Hudson, Daniel Craig and Kathryn Hahn were fun to watch.  They brought some zing to the thing but not enough to make this birdie, sing.  Edward Norton, Janelle Monae and Leslie Odom, Jr. all looked out of place.  The bright spots in this dismal lot came from surprise guest cameos.  Angela Lansbury, Steven Sondheim and Yo-Yo Ma lit up the screen.   Sadly, both Stephen Sondheim and Angela Lansbury's appearances turn are their final swan songs on screen.  The layers here are papery thin in a sequel unequal in appeal to KNIVES OUT.  This critic only bestowed a rent at home review to KNIVES OUT. which only got a rent it sentiment. Peel back the layers to GLASS ONION and you'll view a vapid thriller the whole way through.