BlacKkKlansman (2018)

The untold story of a Colorado Police Officer infiltrating the notoriously disgusting "KKK" in the 1970's, is now a deeply powerful and disturbing motion picture. Colorado Springs Police rookie, Ray Stallworth, sets out on an investigation of the local "KKK" chapter. Doesn't that sound crazy? It's an unbelievably gripping take on a very important event in history. This film is rich in craft and has a sometimes excessive political bias. BlacKkKlansman is an authentic and rich true story narrative that aims to show a piece of history that has, not only had an impact on America but a global one as this film is a monumental achievement in both film and society.

Infiltrating the director's chair, is director Spike Lee. Lee offers a film to audiences that is not only a movie of a historical event, but a film on social issues and political ideologies in America. Lee writes the film with edge and sensationalism that is unlike anything ever seen in a film of a historical significance. 

This film offers a cast that is jawdroppingly good. Playing Stallworth is the son of legendary actor Denzel Washington. John David Washington portrays him in a powerful, gripping and memorable performance. It's quite possibly one of the best lead male roles of the year.  Along for the ride, Adam Driver, who isn't only a Star Wars baddie, but a former US Marine. He makes playing Stallworths right hand man like it was easy, given his former occupation.

Co-starring in the film are: Topher Grace (That 70's Show) and Laura Herrier (Spider Man: Homecoming). Herrier and Grace give soulful performances. Grace playing David Duke and Herrier plays a local college student who is the president of the Black Student Union on campus. They give performances that embody the very definition of authentic and true. 

Bringing more edge to the film is the music. Terence Blanchard makes a string filled composition blend in the film and is a big part in the films intensity. 

This film is the kind of film that is spectacular but also hard to stomach, given its strong content- a film with mature and meaningful messages. I applaud Stallworth for his courageous and bold endeavors taking down hate. I also applaud Lee for telling a story that should be witnessed by audiences on a global scale. This film is definitely going to have negative and positive reactions from audiences. It's also a film that makes it the point of conversation amongst those who are old enough to remember this and those that weren't alive or old enough to grasp that this actually happened. This film was meant to be made, especially at a point in time where the film resonates perfectly into present day America and racial issues.  

Photo courtsey of Legendary Pictures

Rate: A- 

Director: Spike Lee 

Starring: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Herrier, Michael Busemi with Ryan Eggold and Topher Grace 

MPAA Rating: R-(for language throughout, including racial epithets, and for disturbing/violent material and some sexual references) 

Synopsis: From visionary filmmaker Spike Lee comes the incredible true story of an American hero. It's the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. The young detective soon recruits a more seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), into the undercover investigation of a lifetime. Together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group as the organization aims to sanitize its violent rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream. Produced by the team behind the Academy-Award (R) winning Get Out.

Runtime: 2 Hours and 15 Minutes