MovieChat Forums > Da 5 Bloods (2020) Discussion > Uneven

Uneven

posted 5 years ago by olioz (3863)
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This was kind of frustrating because there was a lot to like but at the same time some things just didn't work. The present day scenes were mostly good and I loved the four leads, that minefield scene was great.

But I didn't like the flashback scenes at all. They looked very 'amateurish' or cheap, like an 80's b-action movie. I don't know, maybe that was on purpose but it just didn't work for me. Also the movie dragged a little, did it really have to be 2h 30min?

It was okay, above average and worth a watch anyway. I'll propably check it out again sometime to see if my mind changes. 6/10

[–] Threadkiller (3089) 5 years ago

I thought it was solid overall but i have to agree. The flashback scenes weren't great but not terrible. Using the same actors with no real attempt to de-age them was a bit distracting & confusing.Great acting but the pacing could have been better as it indeed felt a bit drawn out at times. I give it a solid 6.5 out of 10. Mostly due to the acting. Delroy Lindo in particular pulling a very strong performance.

[–] NorrinRad (5470) 5 years ago

The decision to not de-age the actors, though based on a budgetary constraint, worked narratively as it gave you the understanding of the extent of their collective PTSD. It was if they had never left the battlefield and their traumas. Especially for Paul who is the most damaged and broken. By not de-aging the actors that final scene between Norm and Paul had more power and poignancy as there is this continuity between the accident and finally forgiveness between the two. As a directorial direction it was tricky but it paid off by an aspect ratio change informing you when events were happening in time.

Spike you a lot of his standard tools and ways of shooting that just aren't going to work for all audiences, I believe, because Spike Lee is hyper focused on storytelling.