Review of Miracle at St. Anna (2008) by Jesse O — 17 Jun 2010

What in the hell is going on in this film? It has promise as a WW2 epic but saying it falls flat is an understatement. Way too long to say the least, with what seems like dozens of unnecessary scenes. Spike Lee is known for dealing with issues of race in his films, and the buffalo soldiers of the second world war along with his knack for storytelling could have turned into something great, but in this particular instance it feels so heavy-handed.

These black soldiers seem to embody the very sterotypes Lee tries to avoid or at least intelligently discuss in his other works. The relationship of Omar Benson Miller and the child after a short while just got on my nerves, enough already.

Just in case you were hoping there was going to be a white, incompetent, overly racist commander who-have no fear hes there. Cliche after cliche, frustrating scene after confusing subplot, this film has them all.

"Malcolm X", "Inside Man", "Do the Right Thing" all much more entertaining and better movie experiences from Lee.