Review of Detroit (2017) by Tvjerry — 09 Aug 2017

The race riots in 1967 Detroit caused looting, burning and desperate circumstances for all involved. The primary event depicted in this film occurs when several police raid a hotel in search of a sniper.

They resort to brutal tactics in an attempt to obtain information. Director Kathryn Bigelow has masterfully created unrest and mayhem in the first hour of the film, while effectively setting up the backgrounds of the primary characters.

As conflicts ramp up during the core episode, uncomfortable tension pervades. It's an intense and cruel experience. The third act lays out the aftermath. Throughout it all, a level of anxiety is undeniable.

This is partly due to Bigelow's intense direction, but also thanks to a cast of superb performances (John Boyega is especially compelling). Of course, the parallels to today's racial discord are not lost and they make an already disturbing film that much more powerful.