MovieChat Forums > Chi-Raq (2016) Discussion > Loved and Hated It

Loved and Hated It

posted 8 years ago by jonhopper217
2 replies | jump to latest

I am a big Spike Lee fan, but admit that he's had a tough go of ever really coming close to Do The Right Thing. I enjoyed this film immensely, but the casting of Nick Cannon was a huge mistake. Had this been a nobody or a truly gifted actor, the film might have finished stronger. For me, the last twenty minutes was unnecessary. It attempted to do something and it failed, which is a true shame, because it worked up until then. It's one of those films, that had it been a little more bold (yes, Spike took the easy way out), it would have been very powerful.

[–] jessesavage85 7 years ago

Interesting note about the last 20 minutes. Just watched it last night and had a very emotional response to it. I thought the first 20 minutes was pretty rocky and it was extremely uneven but once I got past the awkward lyrical dialogue and the strange pace I fell in love. I kept thinking, this is going to be Spike's best film in over a decade! Now that I am over my excitement, I'll have to rewatch.

[–] jonhopper217 7 years ago

I realize he was going for Greek Tragedy, but he's somewhat done this already...in every movie he's ever made. To go for it the way he did wasn't for me. I'm not saying it wasn't great in spots and I did like it. I'm told me giving a film a 6 is like someone else giving it a 9. I adore the message, the way it played out, I was just left unfulfilled. I also realize this movie, in many ways, wasn't made for me.

While I'm not as excited, I'll definitely rewatch....after the election, haha