Director Spike Lee has been around for quite some
time now, and his films never seem to get old. You never know what you’re going
to get, which alone is a refreshing feeling when choosing your seat at the
movie theater. That’s how I always approach his films, and this time it wasn’t
any different. With the sensitive subject of gang violence in parts of the
African-American community, Spike Lee decides to adapt the Greek play ‘Lysistrata’
tied in with the countless deaths that riddles some sections of Chicago.
Whether you’re a fan of his work or not, he always swings for the fence, and is
not afraid to be boldly different than other filmmakers that most are used to.
Once again he’s able to deliver an entertaining film, with a great message,
that provides a good amount of comedy, while at the same time teaching a
serious lesson to groups of people that may be involved in their own repeated
genocide.
Since I just praised Lee’s previous work, I can imagine in a
production meeting how foreign his story-boards may look. I’m personally not
thrilled by stage plays or musicals, but with his unique talent, he’s able to
take the better of the two, and tone it down to a respectable form of rhythmic
dialogue. Even from the opening scene he decides not to provide imagery, but
subtitles of a song to carry the film. It was an interesting decision that I
found appealing. It painted the picture of how horrifying life could be in some
cities in America, and whether true or false, it made me a believer. He was
also able to use text messaged images to get his point across, and also showed
how the infectious disease of silly pride can kill any man, woman, or child who
decides not to be the bigger person when a confrontation arises. The main
message he tried to convey is, “What is the purpose of life?” You were brought
into this world to do more than kill your fellow man. Fortunately while some
may complain that it’s too preachy, I thought the exact opposite taking it in
like the best dessert choice. He got his point across through satire and jokes,
with some falling flat on their face, while majority received my stamp of
approval.
The cast in the film for the most part did an excellent job at
telling the story. Lysistrata (Teyonah Parris) was the
driving force behind the entire film. She was strong, bold, and rocked the hell
out of that natural beautiful hair of hers. If she didn’t have enough to carry
the film (which she did), the remaining cast had more than enough to lay a
strong foundation. Cyclops (Wesley Snipes) had an interesting name
choice, whose title alone provided great undertones of some of the ignorance
that can corrupt a number of lives. Miss Helen (Angela Bassett) had a
strong core, and was the root to the movement from its inception. I’m proud to
say that her character’s motivation wasn’t remedial, because it would’ve been
too easy for her role to fall down that path. Dolmedes (Samuel L. Jackson)
put everything into perspective, ranging from comedy, narration, and addressed
multiple issues that literally flood our news feeds in the world today. The
most surprising casting choice, and probably the best in the entire film was
that of Father Mike Corridan (John Cusack). While at first sticking out
like snowflakes in July, he probably had the best line and/or scene in the
entire film. If his dialogue didn’t wake you up, I honestly don’t know what
will. While the cast just listed was fantastic, the absolute appalling
craptastic award goes to Irene (Jennifer Hudson), and Chi-Raq (Nick
Cannon). I don’t know what happened with these two. Hudson can act most
certainly. Most has seen it before, so maybe she was sick on the day of
shooting. Nick Cannon carried the film Drumline, along with a few
other small budget films. Though this time his performance was absolutely
atrocious, and that’s me putting it lightly. Cannon trying to portray a thugged
out gangster was a laughable disaster embarrassment, which could actually ruin
his career as an actor. Since that isn’t his main goal, and he’s more of a real
life personality, it may not matter in the long run. Though towards the end of
the film where the story tried to wrap things up, he single handedly destroyed
the scene ERASING all of its weight.
What’s shocking is as horrible as Cannon’s performance was, from a
different view it may have improved the films quality. The reason I say this is
due to the message that’s been conveyed throughout the film by the director.
Not all, but some groups of people are so loyally blind to a street code that
they have no clue of the damage they’re doing to their own community. They’re
willfully dense to say the least, and you can’t even convince them there’s a
fire even when their head is burning. They look utterly ridiculous, stupid, and
any other downgrading word that you could come up with. With that being said, I
wouldn’t be surprised if Spike Lee told Cannon to act this way, to give a
mirror reflection of just how idiotic someone of blind gang affiliation may be.
Now I’m definitely not saying all gangs are bad. That word is just a term
that’s used to identify a community of people that has each other’s backs, and
there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Though if you can’t recognize that
your own actions are as dangerous as drinking gallons of Clorox bleach every
day, that is where the problem lies. Spike Lee pulled it off with most of the
cast, with Wesley Snipes character as a prime example. But I’m still on the
fence with Cannon’s role, whether it was just horrible acting, or done on
purpose to prove a point.
Overall the film is extremely enjoyable with a mixed bag of
everything great from a narrative standpoint. I got a decent cast, a head
bobbing soundtrack, funny performances, with a powerful message. The message
was formed through the idea of stage plays, musicals, modern technology,
satire, sex, comedy, real world news, in your face propaganda, and love.
There’s not too much more you can ask for. While the execution of it all may
not have been perfect, it was more than enough to get the conversation going,
if you were not already self-aware. With films like this I can’t wait for the
next chapter, to see if anything changes, or to witness Spike Lee’s next great
film. It was a fun ride, with an interesting take, and a film that should
certainly be on your bucket list.
Read more reviews by Brandon Keith Avery at Just My Opinion.net.