'Treasure Of Sierra Madre' Meets 'Apocalypse Now' In This Latest Spike Lee Joint

Rating: Null/10 (15 June 2020)

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre meets Apocalypse Now in this latest Spike Lee joint. Da 5 Bloods is an attempt to capture the African-American experience in an immoral war they were funnelled into despite a larger crisis brewing at home and argues that unlike their harrowing time in Vietnam, their battle for survival in their own country is still raging and is far from over.
Directed by Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing & BlacKkKlansman), the opening scene slaps the viewers with the horror America has caused over the years, both inside & outside its borders, and aptly portrays the scars & remnants of Vietnam experience they and the natives never recovered from. The film is gripping & interesting for the most part but not all its moments hit the sweet spot.
The first action segment is diluted by a score that doesn't fit at all. The monologues are more or less ineffective & unnecessary. The change in aspect ratio is smooth & productive and the fluid camerawork & rich colour grading add more vibrance to the imagery. Performances from the entire cast is top-notch, the group dynamic exhibits a sense of unity & brotherhood, and Delroy Lindo easily stands out.
Overall, Da 5 Bloods is crafted with vigour, told with intensity, and expertly merges the politics of then with now to point out the African-American struggle that's been ongoing since forever. A tension-fuelled & emotionally charged cinematic ride that intertwines social commentary with genre thrills, Da 5 Bloods is as relevant as it is timely and although erratic & messy at times, it is amongst the better films of 2020.