Stylish and enjoyable but somewhat underdeveloped Vietnam vet caper

Rating: Null/10 (17 June 2020)

Like the majority of Spike Lee's work, his political stance is right at the forefront, even if it gets in the way of the story. His stylish way of filmmaking also allows him to skip from real life footage to the film smoothly, which helps keep the film from feeling jarring (which in a lesser directors hands it would be). Also, had this element of the film not been present, the film would have suffered and likely been marked as just another cliche 'Nam' film.
The visuals (lots of aspect ratio changes, film stock effects and locations etc) and the performance of Delroy Lindo being the standouts of the film. Delroy's character, Paul, is an exceptionally written character and whilst not being sympathetic, he is who we're most interested it. The story contains enough action to keep interest, and whilst could defiantly be shorter, doesn't sag pacing wise.
The story however is where the film looses the marks that could have made this a truly amazing film. There are just too many conveniences and plot points that don't lead anywhere, characters that either have nothing to do or such as specific role it's so blatant that it takes you out the movie. A quick examples that springs to mind (that won't spoil anything) are when the group are looking for an item, find it, then realise it isn't where it should be. It's then found right next to it. Raising the question of why not just have it where it should be if this doesn't create any conflict? You also get the sense that some of the characters could have been removed and the story would have been strengthened and the fact it's set in the modern day (2019) means that some of the Vietnam/American tension feels a little contrived. Some of the political points made are also rather ham-fisted.
Overall it's a very watchable film, even despite its flaws.