Good, though not a Top 5 entry for Mr. Lee.

Rating: 8/10 (15 June 2020)

"Da 5 Bloods" sees Spike Lee continuing the late-career success that he began with "The Black Klansman" (2018). Like the previous film, this film comments upon American racism "then and now". Though this is Vietnam film, it is set mostly in present-day, with few flashbacks to the actual fighting. 33% of the American soldiers who fought in Vietnam were African-American, but they have been largely ignored by history. The film states this quite frankly with the black characters discussing the narrative of "Rambo 2" (1985). Lee's film honors the black soldiers, but also attacks the system they were sent to fight for. It is a fascinating picture that dodges simplified readings.
The film tells the story of four black Vietnam vets (Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis & Isiah Whitlock Jr.), who re-unite in Vietnam in present day. They have all been traumatized by the war to a different degree, especially by the experience of losing their commander (Chadwick Boseman) who served as a role model for them. The guys have been sent to locate his body, but they also have another motive for returning. I will not enclose more details about the plot, since there are all sorts of twists and turns here.
Spike Lee was inspired by both "Apocalypse Now" (1979) and "The Treasure of Sierra Madre" (1948) when making this film. The influence of both is very detectable, sometimes painfully so. I like Lee very much, but often it seems he is a director who needs someone to occasionally tell him "no". This film is like so many of his, partly great, but pushed down by sloppiness and bad choices. For instance, Lee makes several direct references to before-mentioned films, like playing "Ride of the Valkyries" without any point. I would like to enjoy the film as it is, but sometimes the signature style of the director just inserts these bumps to the road.
I think this film really shines in the depictions of the four leads and the African-American experience. One of the four is a Trump supporter, and Lee has plenty to say about that as well. I like the way this film, as well as "Black Klansman" tied themselves to present-day affairs, which made them feel more necessary. Here is a thing Lee's style is very good for, as he can stop the film and show you a documentary clip to keep you informed what the characters are talking about. Yet this film is also a tad overlong, and in the latter half strays in different narrative/thematic directions, which made the whole seem less focused. Also, this film starts off as an ambitious piece of cinema, but towards the ending tries to become a more entertaining action film almost. I didn't really care for this turn of events, but mostly this was a nice watch.
While this is nowhere near as good as "Apocalypse Now" or "Sierra Madre", or "Do the Right Thing" or "Malcolm X" for that matter, I would recommend this to cinephiles. It is a film that will spark a hundred interesting conversations.