"Black Klansman" Review - Unlimited Power

“Black Klansman” is another slam dunk, especially in a year where a lot of African American dominant movies are taking over the cinemas in 2018. While I have always been mixed with Spike Lee’s work, this is probably his most relevant and his best piece of activism since “Do the Right Thing”.

While the script may not be an original story like Blindspotting, Spike directs this amazing screenplay with a ridiculous true story through a great score/soundtrack, perfect cinematography, gorgeous 70s costumes, and a spectacular cast that includes the likes of Denzel’s son, John David Washington, as well as Adam Driver, Topher Grace, and Laura Harrier. The writing has a perfect amount of suspense and dark comedy to keep you laughing about this white cloaked dark part of history, yet also raise awareness of the horrifying consequences that came out of it.

This is some ways leads me to the weaker part of the movie, which is the editing. Spike Lee mostly did a tremendous job, but there are a few scenes in the film that he kept dragging out much longer than they needed to be. It’s because Spike is extremely political, which is okay, as political messages are always going to be presented in a unique light in the world of cinema. But sometimes, Spike Lee can’t trust that the audience will get what he’s trying to say. Spike doesn’t always want to follow the tactic of less is more. As a result, when that moment finally hits you on why a certain scene, a certain character, or a certain theme is important to the overall narrative, Spike Lee decides to keep the scene going for an extra one to two minutes. He tries to shove politics too hard down someone’s throat that it makes him look like he’s desperate for your attention. There could’ve easily been a good 15 minutes shaven off if he focused on the editing more. It’s also a big reason why I hated the ending. Without spoiling too much, it ends on a reference to the Charlottesville Rallies. After all, this film does come out on the one year anniversary of the horrifying KKK events that took a young girl’s life. Long story short, it’s about a two minute ending that could’ve easily been only thirty seconds. Spike Lee used way too much archive footage and even uses clip art for god’s sake! Too much archive footage is one thing, but clip art is just lazy and lifeless and it honestly disappointed me.

Maybe it’s just because I’m an editor that I noticed the run time issue, but I think people who get Spike Lee will know why this is a problem. When you compare the ending of this movie to the ending of Do The Right Thing, I think you will get where I’m coming from.

But I digress. “Black Klansman” still is a major winner and will for sure be one of those talks of the town come Winter. It will hit you like a meteorite and this true story about how a black guy infiltrated this group of racists will shock you like an electric outlet.

Two Nebs Up!