A fabulous romp!

Rating: 8/10 (24 June 2013)

This movie jumps out of the starting gate at full pace and keeps going all the way to the end. There are a few potholes, but in this case we don't care! It's a rare movie that can make us ignore these elements.
The suspense is peppered with just the right amount of understated humour. It even includes a morality play, plus a bit of the obligatory action (to keep the gun-blazing-addicts happy) ... but not too much, thank goodness. The director has the right balance of everything throughout, including the use of some interesting unconventional visual and audio techniques.
I normally don't like Denzel as an actor -- he is way too smarmy -- but this movie doesn't need him to be overly serious, and it suits him well. The outstanding performance, however, comes from the veteran Christopher Plummer ... perfectly cast!
Two thumbs up and congratulations to Spike Lee for this innovative return to form.