Da Five Bloods
Synopsis: Four African American vets battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.
Movie Review:
“Da Five Bloods” was directed by Spike Lee and is an emotional, violent, and uplifting film about war and brotherhood. It might be one of my favorite films this year. What makes this film work is the brilliant direction by Spike Lee and the unforgettable performances by talented actors. I was glued to my seat as I watched the real historical footage of tragic events of the Vietnam War and the stories of the brave soldiers who fought there. The audience really gets to know the five American vets throughout the film and understands the bond they have for each other. For me, the standout character was Paul played by Delroy Lindo who is suffering from PTSD. He is fantastic in this role. (I predict a supporting actor award coming his way). My favorite character is Otis played by Clarke Peters who is the most likeable, relatable, and warm-hearted. Most of the supporting cast, like Jasper Paakonen, Paul Walter Hauser, Jonathan Hauser, and Melanie Thierry are all great in the movie. Chadwick Boseman plays the former fallen Captain in the Vietnam war and shows up in flashbacks. Though his part is small, his scenes are intense. I loved how Spike Lee switched between present day, using full screen and the Vietnam War, using widescreen and it was very creative. The action scenes were very realistic and at times brutal, but it was necessary to get Spike Lee’s point across. The movie does have a slow start but picks up the pace quickly and doesn’t let you go until the credits role. Unfortunately, I wasn't a big fan of the ending. “Da Five Bloods” is a tale of American History with outstanding performances from its cast. I am giving “Da Five Bloods” a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Director: Spike Lee
Cast: Delory Lindo, Clark Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock, Jonathan Majors, Ngo Thanh Van, Melanie Thierry, Jasper Paakkonen, Paul Walter Hauser, Johnny Tri Nguyen with Jean Reno and Chadwick Boseman
Runtime: 154 minutes