Movie Review: Blackkklansman

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

Review: An excellent and clever film that is both very exciting and funny.

This shifts tones from comedic to suspenseful to political really well. As the film starts off it is very comedic. I wouldn't say this comedy is anything that made me consistently laugh out loud, and not every joke worked, but the majority of the comedy did put a smile on my face and there were a couple times I laughed out loud. As the movie goes on, the comedy doesn't fade away, but the tone becomes more serious and suspenseful. These suspense scenes are absolutely masterful. The Klansmen are set up perfectly as being absolutely terrifying. They are strongly driven and extremely dangerous. They are in many ways simple stupid stereotypes, but that is surprisingly what makes it work. The idea of men this dumb believing it is their duty to carry full out attacks against a group of people is terrifying. Also since they are not very smart, you never know what they are going to do next and how they will carry it out. This creates a shocking amount of suspense. We never know what measures they might take and there is no limit to how far they might go. The fact that our heroes are so likable only enhances this. We do not want to see anything happen to them. The political side of this movie gives the film both its strongest and weakest moments. The first Black Power Rally scene will stay in one's mind long after the movie is over. The words spoken here are extremely thought provoking and powerful. However what makes the scene more than just a speech is that the scene is focused on our main character (John David Washington). (Slight spoilers ahead, but this happens early in the film so no plot twist is being given away) At first he is here because it is his job, but as the scene moves along he becomes moved and motivated by what the speaker says. (spoilers over)  On the other hand there are a couple lines that are obviously referencing Donald Trump. With this being a movie set in the 1970's this feels unbelievably forced. Many have mentioned putting politics above stories when talking about certain movies and TV shows and one can't help but feel these lines are an example of that. On the other hand again is our hero discussing politics with his girlfriend (Laura Harrier). This again fully revolves around the characters and the story. They both mostly agree when it comes to politics, except for on one point. This one point drives a riff between them. This is not only true and relatable but what they are saying is very thought provoking. There are no easy right or wrong answers given and we are left to think about what both of them have said and make up our own minds.


The use of real life recent footage towards the end is maybe the most polarizing thing about this movie. It in many ways doesn't feel like it belongs with the rest of the movie. The change is sudden and quite jarring. However it is possible that this is the point. That these last scenes were what Spike Lee envisioned as a wake-up call to America, and this was meant to make the footage seem all the more uncomfortable. If that is the truth though, two arguments can easily be made about it. One of these arguments is that it is a powerful piece of filmmaking and after seeing the rest of the movie what we see can come off as more shocking making this a powerful call to arms. On the other hand it can be argued that this is a cheap device for the director to insert his own political beliefs into an otherwise good movie. Naturally some will come to one conclusion or another because of their own political beliefs. Other might simply feel from a cinematic standpoint that it successeds or fails. Whether this works or fails though it does leave something for one to discuss after the film, which is something rare to see in a movie playing at your average multiplex today.


-Michael J. Ruhland