Review of Chi-Raq (2015) by R W — 04 Dec 2015

This movie is what great cinema is all about to me. It challenges us to think, to laugh, to cry and wonder about solutions to the vexing problem of homicide in our nation's inner cities. That Spike Lee chose satire and a Greek tragedy construct as his storytelling vehicle forces the audience to think about what is transpiring as the film unfolds versus passively watching.

It's emotional and disturbing, surreal and too real, hilarious and painful all at once. As a native Chicagoan long gone from the city, I applaud the daring and appreciate the unconventional means to which Lee has gone to draw attention and discussion of the murders in Chicago that have become so common as to be confused for being normal.

There is nothing normal about this film nor the real life situation. We have Spike Lee very much to thank for the former and should all share in concern about the latter.