MBJ cannot act.
Right off the bat, let me get out what might be an unpopular opinion here: Michael B. Jordan CANNOT act! Period. (Can anyone please teach him how to make his hands tremble without appearing as if he has the palsy)? You'll have to see the film to see what I am speaking of, but it's bad.
Now that I have that out of the way - and downvote all you want - I'm not here for the likes, but to express my thoughts on films - among the bogged down mish-mash of all the genres this film wanted to cover ... WHAT A MAGNIFICENT collective 30-or-so minutes of viewing!
In this world of disposables, duplicates, and copies galore, this is a highly original film, and one for which Ryan Coogler must be applauded and lauded even though it seems as if it is a compilation of different genres of films, all glued together (with with a couple of the genres - music and horror - beating out the rest). Coogler not only wrote, directed, and co-produced this, but had to pitch it to Proximity Media and Warner Bros. Pictures. I'm so happy he did, as those thirty-or-so minutes of treasure you find within, are excellent.
When speaking of the OTHER "minutes", well ... some are necessary, of course. Most, however, are excruciatingly slow. I wished a lot more cuts and edits had been made to leave the superfluousness on the editing room floor. To me, that would have made for a more streamlined, edgier and far better movie experience. Still, (again), once it begins picking up the pace and getting to the meaty parts, it's one film that shouldn't be missed.
The music alone is great, with a mix that blends various styles and genres like the blues, gospel, modern, and Irish folk. It's a treat to the ears. It also doesn't overdo it, which some films featuring music tend to do.
Beyond just the music, the characters played by Jack O'Connell (Remmick), Wunmi Mosaku (Annie), Li Jun Li (Grace), Delroy Lindo (Slim), and Omar Benson Miller (Cornbread), are all really, really good to downright fabulous. Arguably, a watch-worthy prequel could be made about each of them! :)
Lastly, the themes of community, identity, oppression, trauma, memory and the power of music, hit heavy and land mostly well.
9/10 (Music) 10/10 (Remmick scenes) 4/10 (Exposition / Filler)
Now that I have that out of the way - and downvote all you want - I'm not here for the likes, but to express my thoughts on films - among the bogged down mish-mash of all the genres this film wanted to cover ... WHAT A MAGNIFICENT collective 30-or-so minutes of viewing!
In this world of disposables, duplicates, and copies galore, this is a highly original film, and one for which Ryan Coogler must be applauded and lauded even though it seems as if it is a compilation of different genres of films, all glued together (with with a couple of the genres - music and horror - beating out the rest). Coogler not only wrote, directed, and co-produced this, but had to pitch it to Proximity Media and Warner Bros. Pictures. I'm so happy he did, as those thirty-or-so minutes of treasure you find within, are excellent.
When speaking of the OTHER "minutes", well ... some are necessary, of course. Most, however, are excruciatingly slow. I wished a lot more cuts and edits had been made to leave the superfluousness on the editing room floor. To me, that would have made for a more streamlined, edgier and far better movie experience. Still, (again), once it begins picking up the pace and getting to the meaty parts, it's one film that shouldn't be missed.
The music alone is great, with a mix that blends various styles and genres like the blues, gospel, modern, and Irish folk. It's a treat to the ears. It also doesn't overdo it, which some films featuring music tend to do.
Beyond just the music, the characters played by Jack O'Connell (Remmick), Wunmi Mosaku (Annie), Li Jun Li (Grace), Delroy Lindo (Slim), and Omar Benson Miller (Cornbread), are all really, really good to downright fabulous. Arguably, a watch-worthy prequel could be made about each of them! :)
Lastly, the themes of community, identity, oppression, trauma, memory and the power of music, hit heavy and land mostly well.
9/10 (Music) 10/10 (Remmick scenes) 4/10 (Exposition / Filler)
- Her-Excellency
- 19 jun 2025