Review of Chi-Raq (2015) by Daniel S — 08 Dec 2015

Ah here it is! the hot button movie everyone's been talking about here this year. (This may be the longest review I've ever written or will ever write so fair warning) Many Chicagoans have been opposed to the premise of the film (a lyrical satire about Chicago violence), and some just the title which they feel gives the city a bad name. I personally was always in support of this film. I've been a fan of most of Spike Lee's films, and I've read several of his writings. Hence I never believed he would make anything that would be disrespectful to the city. Did he know calling it Chi-Raq would cause controversy? Oh without a doubt, but that name was already there before this movie, and it would still be there even if he didn't call it that. But as to the movie itself, as you may or may not know it's a modern retelling of the Greek comedy Lysistrata about the women in a city refusing to have sex with the men until the 2 warring gangs stop their violence. It's also I'd say 80% told in spoken word, as in the dialogue rhymes and sounds like a poem. I loved that aspect, I thought it was creative and different, and a lot of credit has to go to the writers for all that rhyming dialogue. Is the premise absurd? Yes, in fact several scenes are downright silly, but it's satire. I liken it to the classic Dr. Strangelove, which also took a serious issue (the threat of nuclear war) yet surrounded it with crazy characters and insane situations. Because when you think about it, the reasons for so much of this gang violence is insane. The acting is fine for the most part, lots of well known names. Sam Jackson is entertaining as ever as the narrator, Angela Basset strong and fierce, John Cusack caring and warm as a priest inspired by Fr. Pfleger in St. Sabina, and Teyonah Parris is good in her first lead role. Some criticized Nick Cannon as a gangster, he's fine, honestly doesn't even have that much screen time. And Dave Chapelle pops up for one scene! There are a few weaknesses-a scene with a Confederate military man went a bit too over the top and slapsticky I thought, and the climax of the movie (yes pun very much intended, get it, cuz like sex LOL) was just weird and I didn't even know what was happening. In conclusion, the biggest reason I support this is the message of peace it ultimately shows and preaches. The characters in the film hate the term Chi Raq and want it changed. It calls for love and understanding and an end to all violence among all parties-gangs, police and the mayor, and suggests that it can one day be possible. And that is a message I will always support and endorse.

I'm Dan Sloyan and that's my two cents.