Review of Dead Presidents (1995) by Miles H — 21 Jan 2008
The Hughes Brothers followed the incredible and underrated "Menace II Society" with this hard-edged drama that is notably epic in its scale and ambition. For the most part, thankfully, it works.
The issue of post-Vietnam alienation in America and the racist reprocussions held for black veterans is compelling enough alone, but tremendous peformances from Larenz Tate, Keith David, Freddie Rodriguez, and Chris Tucker in a surprisingly good dramatic turn elevate the film to soaring dramatic heights.
The haunting photography and soundtrack compliment the sequences, and the brothers direct the film with the same refreshing audacity, realism, and maturity that they brought to "Menace". The only notable problem here is the issue of cramming such a sprawling story that spans from the streets of the Bronx to the jungles of Vietnam and back to the Bronx again, into the short timeframe of two hours.
This should have been a longer movie and I suspect that the studios may have been unwilling (read: gutless) to allow the Hughes Brothers much freedom in this parameter. But time cramming is a problem that's only increased in movies today, and I'd take "Dead Presidents" over any of the Harry Potter films.
It's a bracingly original and moving epic that's deeply visionary without being fantastical. I'd sure love to see more from these guys.
This review of Dead Presidents (1995) was written by Miles H on 21 Jan 2008.
Dead Presidents has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
