Yahoo Movies Da 5 Bloods on Netflix review: Spike Lee's latest joint is not your typical war-veteran movie
Da 5 Bloods is not your typical war veteran film. Starring Delroy Lindo, Chadwick Boseman, Clarke Peters and Jean Reno, the movie follows four Black Vietnam vets who decide to revisit the country, not only to bring home one of their fallen brothers, but also to retrieve the roughly $17M in gold bars they buried there.
But the gold isn't just for them, it's also reparations for the Black community back in the USA.
It is important to note that this film is a Spike Lee Joint, and as such this film includes real historical footage, as well as a plethora of facts that intersect not only with the story, but at times with the dialogue and development of the characters.
One of the characters details his time at Morehouse (a historically Black men's university in Atlanta), just like Edwin Moses who won two Olympic gold medals with 400 meter hurdles. And though it may seem like a non sequitur, it ends up serving a specific purpose to the context of the scene and character (which is all we'll say, to avoid spoilers).
Another Spike Lee signature is the use of music, usually accompanied by a dance sequence. Not a professional dance sequence like in a musical, but instead a look into the characters' world, a moment where they're just dancing and having fun. Given the film tackles racism, war and PTSD starring all Black leads, it provided a foil of relief to see scenes showcasing the soldiers' humanity.
His use of music to heighten emotion is expertly showcased in a poignant scene set to Marvin Gaye singing a capella, adding a layer of richness and sorrow to the moment.
Da 5 Bloods is especially timely right now given the Black Lives Matter movement is on an upswing to levels never before seen. But what's sad to note is that it is also timely due to the fact that times haven't changed nearly as much as they should have.
Spike utilises the same cast for the flashbacks as he does for the present. Though digitally aged down for photo depictions, the Vietnam war scenes left the actors stuck in time, looking as old as they do present day.
This functions as a metaphor about the stillness of time for the Black community and the miles to go in regards to progress. It's only jarring for a few seconds, eventually becoming simply an accepted part of the overarching story.
The bulk of the film is about the group’s venture back into the jungle, searching for their brother as well as the gold. Of course, things don’t go nearly as smoothly as one would think.
At two and a half hours, after laying some important groundwork into the characters, the film hits its best pace about an hour in. From land mines to armed thieves and saboteurs, the action is almost non-stop as the film progresses.
Da 5 Bloods is engaging while also providing smatterings of history throughout. By having all Black soldiers and showcasing their point of view during Vietnam, this film is able to provide a fresh perspective on the trials and tribulations of war.
Da 5 Bloods is now available to watch on Netflix
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Looking for more TV recommendations and discussion? Head over to our Facebook Group to see new picks every day, and chat with other readers about what they're watching right now.
You Might Also Like
