Review of Brooklyn Babylon (2001) by Tyson P — 05 Aug 2011

Brooklyn Babylon used an all too familiar plot template, the old "lovers from opposing clans" arc has been recycled over and over since Romeo & Juliet. Nevertheless, this urban adaptation wasn't a direct plot-point for plot-point ripoff and did feature some original elements.

Definitely the first film highlighting a romance between an African-American male & a Jewish girl, with strong cultural imprints from both sides. The elements of the conflict between the blacks and Jews were pretty predictable, and it was obvious that Sol's relationship with Sara would come under fire, as well as the clash between Judah and Sol.

One thing I did appreciate was the great music brought to the film by Black Thought & The Roots, as well as the hip-hop instrumentals used throughout the film as background music. The acting was a bit weak at some points, but the lead performers held it together.

I feel that the storyboard was a bit rushed, some of the shots didn't fall into a smooth sequence. These was this one shot on the train after the club arson where Sol and Sara are standing, and then it abruptly cuts to them sitting down.

That bit came off very sloppy. That sex scene was pretty over-the-top as well. Still, Brooklyn Babylon did manage to entertain me and was not a horrible film, but it certainly had it's flaws.