Chi-Raq

Not really wanting to see Krampus this weekend, I almost debated taking yet another weekend off. Then I looked at my local theater and they actually had a couple Oscar-bait films playing, so I debated seeing those as well, also somewhat disinterested in them. 

Seemingly out of nowhere, I heard of this film, Chi-Raq. 

I knew absolutely nothing about it but quickly came to find that it was from Spike Lee. As I read the premise, I was astonished to see how incredibly relevant it is, this week in particular after a shooting in Colorado Springs, and Southern California. 

Now, this post could easily turn political right away but I'll try to keep it in check. When it comes to the issue of gun control and these mass shootings, neither Republicans or Democrats are entirely correct and, at least in my opinion, the approach must come from several angles in order to be effective. If people really think that taking all guns away or completely banning them will solve the problem, I completely disagree with you. On the flip side, if you believe that guns are perfectly regulated and this is all an issue of mental health, I also completely disagree with you. It's a combination of the two, as well as tons of other factors that are built into our culture. Guns should be harder to procure. Certain guns shouldn't even be available to the public. But there also needs to be a hard discussion of the mental health of a lot of these shooters and removing the taboo nature around reporting strange people. Statistically speaking, think of what percentage of gun owners go on mass-murder rampages or are anything other than a responsible gun owner. My guess is that it would be less than 0.01%. It's yet another issue in America where people think they must pick a side, liberal or conservative, and blindly follow it. When in reality, the solution to the issue is somewhere in the middle. Both sides are collectively right and wrong. 

Sorry I couldn't find a black bar for the finger gesture in the corner...

Nick Cannon. Hardest rapper
the game ever did see

Chi-Raq tackles this political issue, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement and gang violence. Aiming to wrap up my political musings so I can actually grade the film itself, I'll just say that I applaud the film for taking on so much, but it took on a little too much. I knew from the start that I wouldn't agree with everything the film had to say, but I found myself in alignment with several of the stances that it took on its core topics. Where I tended to shake my head wasn't necessarily when I disagreed, but when the film would almost directly contradict its earlier stances, or try to wrap up one political statement into the other. That aside, its call for peace and end to the gun and gang related violence in America is poignant and surprisingly well balanced by the time the smoke settles. 

Based on a Greek play, Lysistrata, Chi-Raq can best be described by its tagline: No Peace. No P***y. The females of Chicago, and soon the world, call for an end to violence by abstaining from sex and withholding sex from their men until they comply. Truth be told, it's a brilliant idea, as unrealistic as it may be, and the film explores what would happen. Since it's based on a play, dialogue often rhymes and has a "Greek" feeling to its presentation. At first it was a bit distracting, but I soon really dug the dedication the film had to becoming a modern day play. It makes for a very entertaining combination of mediums and lends itself to the situation well. The cast, which includes Jennifer Hudson, Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Samuel L. Jackson, and John Cusack all does a great job, with some having more fun than others. Nick Cannon plays the titular Chi-Raq, which almost made me laugh out loud in the theater since I grew up with him on Nickelodeon, but I give him credit for a solid performance. Somewhat-newcomer Teyonah Parris, who's been at the forefront of the marketing, does fantastic as the powerful woman that decides to organize the female movement. I also personally really enjoyed Wesley Snipes as a one-eyed gangster who giggles frequently. He had the most fun with his role, and it shows. 

Who knew that Wesley Snipes had lost an eye?!?

Teyonah Parris. Hottest general
the Army ever did see

As entertaining as Chi-Raq is, I think it's biggest fault (and really one of its few) is the several tones it tries to juggle, many of which conflict with one another. This is a serious topic. The film knows that. It preaches it. But then it also has moments of humor that, while I did laugh, felt out of place because of a somber scene that happened mere moments ago. The latter half of the film also delves a little too far into the "what if" scenario of if women really withheld sex, complete with men going crazy, staging their own picket line, etc. The idea to withhold sex is a smart one, but the film should have run with the assumption that it works fine and, rather than focusing on the sexual humor of the situation, focus on the drama and political statement of why they went on strike in the first place. To be fair, the film does do both, but that second half of the film really feels like two different films at times, one a comedy and one a drama.

I'm really glad that I decided on the film I did this weekend. Chi-Raq is a highly unique film that has a lot to say and does so in an incredibly memorable way. When it's good, it's fantastic, and even though it occasionally stumbles the overall product more than makes up for it. Whether you agree with it or not is a bit beside the point, but I was personally surprised and appreciative that I found myself agreeing with it more often than not. As a [sadly] insanely relevant film right now, I'd highly recommend it.

CONS:

• Especially in the latter half of the film, it has conflicting tones. The comedy is very funny, but feels out of place given the subject matter
• Some of the sexual humor from the abstinence scenario falls flat 
• A few scenes are really useless
• Tries to take on a little too much politically. Several of its positions are reduced to a single line of dialogue while others get a broader focus
• I thought the song at the beginning (and theme song for the film) was pretty awful

PROS:

• Great cast that overall does a solid job with the material
• I really enjoyed the approach of making it into a modern day Greek play and I also enjoyed the fact that it stuck to that technique throughout
• A few exquisite scenes throughout both because of cinematography, script, and how unique it all is
• The whole film is unique and enjoyable because of it
• Makes some strong political stances and stands by them. Props to that aspect whether you agree with it or no
• Most of the humor is quite funny
• Solid dramatic plot through the film that ends predictably, but very well
• Entertaining and thought provoking

Rath's Review Score: 7.5/10