Review: BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Directed by Spike Lee

Starring: John David Washington, Adam Driver

The plot follows the first African-American detective in the city's police department as he sets out to infiltrate and expose the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan.

Spike Lee is back, and back with a bang. I have to admit, when I first saw this film's marketing, I thought it was going to be a comedy. While there are some comedic elements in the film, the film has a more serious tone. Upon finally having the time to watch this film, I can say it was really good, and is one of my favorite films of 2018.

The plot was interesting and engaging, there wasn't a second that I felt bored with the film. John David Washington was great and his chemistry with Adam Driver in the film, is what made me enjoy it much more. The other performances were great too. As I mentioned before, the tone is perfectly balanced between satire and seriousness, which makes the film highly entertaining and informative. The film does take place in the late 70's, and does highlight the issues of racism and violence against black people. This can also be later highlighted after the film's conclusion, where it tributes to Heather Heyer who passed away after the Charlottesville car attack. It also showcased footage of the white supremacists rally, and Trump's statements after the events. It is clear, Spike Lee condemns Trump over the events, and while I do not like being political in any way, I have to agree with Spike Lee. It is absolutely disgusting that we still live in a world where racism and discrimination still exists.

The visuals and the cinematography were good. I especially love the 'night vision' shot in the film. The music was great, and so was the sound editing. The costume and production design was fantastic, and really immerses us into 1970's Colorado Springs. I admire Spike Lee's craftswork and how it influential to other film-makers as well.

The film was premiered at Cannes, where it was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or. it did lose out to Shoplifters for the award, but did win the Grand Prix. It earned four nominations at the 76th Golden Globe Awards including Best Motion Picture - Drama.

In conclusion, the movie does really well to entertain it's audience while also highlighting a serious issue that still exists in this world today. It is a return to form for Spike Lee, and this film proves that Spike Lee still has what it takes to tell a great story with a deep meaning. One of my favorite films of 2018, and I definitely recommend checking it out when you can.

My rating: 8.5/10

#FilmReview #2018