Movie #2100 "Da 5 Bloods" (netflix) Disclaimer: War pictures are not my favorite at all ---- in fact, when I taught war genre films in the high school, I chose to show "The Best Years of our Lives" that covered quite well (academy award for best picture) the coming home part of war, which I can sit through a little better --- just can't watch man's inhumanity to man to the extreme.....I start shouting at the screen, which is not good for anybody!) That being said, why would I watch this one? Well, two major reasons and they deal with two names: Chadwick Boseman (one of his last movies) and Spike Lee. I have seen most of the filmography of both men so I am a big fan of both. Chadwick, once again, throws himself full on into this film, and his story (tied to Delroy Lindo) is, to me, the best part of this film. Delroy plays a loudmouth Trumper (donning a MAGA hat through most of the film (albeit, turned backwards most of the time! Thanks, Spike!) but in the hands of a sharp director, he is able to humanize this obnoxious guy even while the actor chews up most of the landscape in the film. The other cast members are able to, for the most part, get enough time to get their individual stories out and to do it quite competently --- I was most impressed with Clarke Peters. But that's probably because he is the sanest of the bunch, and the lynchpin of the film. Yes, they are all suffering from PTSD, and if you think that is fake news, you need to watch this film and it should change your mind. What our soldiers are expected to go through........ohmygod. Anyway, You get the idea of what Spike's objective is in this film, and he ends with real footage from the Nam war at the end for his closing remarks! Generally, the film was a bit long to me, oddly edited at times, music too loud at times, too. And too much shooting for me, but Chad's speech toward the end is worth the wait, and the overall ending was a good one. Film overall a bit preachy, but that's Spike Lee's touch ---- and it's okay with me. I'd give it 4 out of 5. (but a tough watch!)
"DA 5 BLOODS" 2 hrs 34 mins 2020 R rated, for sure!
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