IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 15, YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR PARENTS IF YOU ARE ALLOWED, IF THEY SAY NO…IT MEANS NO!

By: Keaton Marcus

Spike Lee's newest joint has arrived on streaming giant Netflix, and it's a weird one, albeit an excellent one. Da Five Bloods is an epic drama filled with superb performances, stylish camera-work, and a story very worth telling. As entertaining as it may be, this movie is also important to watch, and I'm glad Mr. Lee made this thing. The commentary on the Vietnam war, as well as racism, is truly magnificent. And the lengthy running time of about 155 minutes goes by like a flash because of all the laughs. There's also a surprising amount of action sequences. Lee is truly in command of his craft here, and his distinct directorial style undoubtedly shows, and it's glorious. Most likely one of the best films all year at the moment, you must watch this movie, especially considering what's going on in the United States at the moment. Trust me, it's worth it.

This movie is about four African-American Vietnam War named Paul (Delroy Lindo), Otis (Clarke Peters), Eddie (Norm Lewis), and Melvin (Isiah Whitlock Jr.). Who, after over 50 years, return to Vietnam. They are in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader Norman (Chadwick Boseman), and the promise of gold they buried back in the war. They confront their haunting past as well as the deadly jungle that lies there. The movie meshes together a treasure hunt, an anti-war story, and American Ugliness in one-two and a half-hour film. And Lee does it almost seamlessly, creating an enjoyable romp, and a vastly important social commentary for the world to see.

The cast isn't even the best part of this movie, and they are absolutely phenomenal. In particular, Delroy Lindo, who portrays the PTSD-stricken Paul, is the shining star of the movie. Not only is this guy Oscar-worthy, but he plays his character so realistically it can scare you sometimes. When he starts his downfall to insanity and begins to break the fourth wall, audiences really feel his pain inside, all bottled up. He's terribly haunted by the war, and the greatest bit about his performance is the fact that you understand all of it. Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, and Isiah Whitlock Jr. are also excellent in their respective roles despite not having as much to do as Lindo. And finally, Chadwick Boseman, who made his bones with 2018's Black Panther, plays a very supporting character. However, his natural talent for acting overshadows his lack of dialogue, especially when it comes to his emotional heft.

But then it all comes down to Spike Lee. His various different joints are all over the place, from Da Sweet Blood of Jesus to Inside Man, and BlakKklansman a couple years ago! This guy has made a vampire tale, a heist flick, and a film tackling the Ku Klux Klan. It just proves how flexible a director he is, perhaps making him one of the greatest multi-genre filmmakers ever. This topic is basically made for him to tell a story about, it combines exciting action, comedy, and drama all in one. It certainly feels like a bit of a celebration of his career, which for some can seem a bit overwhelming, but for fans of Lee, it's paradise.

The final opinion is: Spike Lee's Da Five Bloods is a well-made, superbly acted and emotionally intact drama that has a tale worth telling...$PLURGE IT

WATCH ON NETFLIX

Rated: R (for strong violence, grisly images, and pervasive language)

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes

Directed By: Spike Lee

Me, my brother and dad watched this movie on the official holiday Juneteenth, which is a day celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. This is an important movie to watch!