Review of Detroit (2017) by Daniel D — 29 Mar 2018

Kathryn Bigelow is a ferocious filmmaker who gets powerhouse performances from her actors (often newcomers) and photographs them so cinematically it is palpable. Detroit is very much a Kathryn Bigelow film.

I was blown away by how much I not only enjoyed but respected Detroit, which I thought was going to be one of the most manipulative Oscar bait movies of the year. The first act of this 2 1/2 hour film is literally flawless.

An American masterpiece, hands down. The mood is explosive, the acting is as real as it gets, and the direction is straight up raw. It took me a good 20 minutes to adjust my eyes, that's how visually aggressive this film is and I mean that in the best possible sense.

I also jumped numerous times while watching, that's how emotionally disturbing this film is, and again, I mean that in the best sense. Detroit does an excellent job fleshing out characters including the city itself which is also a character.

As for the negative aspects of this film, I will admit the specific historical event Detroit revolves around did leave a little to be desired from a moviegoer standpoint. It is the only part of the film that feels repetitive and gratuitous, especially in its violence, but that is no one's fault besides the assholes who carried out this heinous atrocity because it is history.

These vile acts actually transpired and I believe the way in which they transpired was depicted accurately and respectfully onscreen, even if the end result tested my patience some. Fortunately, act three, while slightly drawn-out and cliche, helps Detroit find its way back to cinematic excellence and finish strong with a beautiful ending that, like the film itself, is designed to touch hearts, not snag awards.

Also, Mr. James Cameron, if you can take a break from setting box-office records and winning Oscars, sit down and give your ex's film a watch... You may learn a thing or two about filmmaking.