"BlacKkKlansman": Movie Review
"BlacKkKlansman" had the ability to be undeniably the most potent film of 2018. However, it relies too heavily on slapstick comedy (hit or miss most of the time) abandoning it's emotional resonance and powerful message, making "BlacKkKlansamn" mediocre, rather then brilliant.
Based on the absurd true story of Ron Stallworth, (John David Washington) an African American police detective who makes the unflinching decision to invade the organization known as the Ku Klux Klan, through a white detective named Filip Zimmerman (Adam Driver).
Adam Driver and John David Washington (Denzel Washington's son) are flat out terrific. Both performances are funny, dramatic, and charming, which seems to be missing throughout the films tone. The Ku Klux Klan members range from stereotypical to over the top slapstick funny, frequently entering the territory of parody, which hurts the films strong and meaningful message.
The music is great though, and the style and glamour of the 70's is beautifully captured. Director Spike Lee at 61 years old still has a great eye, and the care put into each scene is quite noticeable.
The music is great though, and the style and glamour of the 70's is beautifully captured. Director Spike Lee at 61 years old still has a great eye, and the care put into each scene is quite noticeable.
But Lee is out of his element. "Do The Right Thing", "Malcom X" etc. never deserted substance for comedy, and "BlacKkKlansamn" does just that. The films persistence on using comedy ruined what could've been a terrific piece of commentary on 1970's America.
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