Do the Right Thing
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Movie Reviews of Do the Right Thing
Movie Review: Shockingly overrated
Summary: 1 Stars
The entire world loves this movie for reasons I have yet to comprehend. There is not one single likable character to be found in this picture, least of all the main character, whom Spike Lee presents as a saint for inciting a race riot. Not coincidentally, Mookie is played (badly) by Lee himself.
What Lee has constructed is a fantasy playground for himself. As his body of work shows, he's primarily interested in the lives of black Americans. His vision, however, often manifests itself as immature and highly unrealistic. For instance, not only does Mookie get to dramatically kick off the race riot (by throwing a garbage can through a window), he also gets to come back and hobnob with the proprietor of the destroyed pizzeria. Oh, and he gets to keep the money Sal owes him, plus more if he wants it.
Go ahead and rate my review as unhelpful if you want, but in my opinion this movie, like so many other made by Lee, presents his wet dream of race relations: Blacks, whites, and other minorities are equally stereotypical and horrible, but blacks are at least cool, which allows them to commit outrageous acts of destruction and get away with it. What an awful message; what an awful movie.
Movie Review: A beautiful movie, by the genius of our time.
Summary: 5 Stars
Do the right thing is amazing!!! As we all know it is the tale of race relations in America, set in Brooklyn in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community. This movie glows as it shows the racial tension that still goes on today. Lee shows that as diverse as America is, instead of diplomatically talking out our differences, we fear what we do not understand and as minorities fight ourselves, while (some) of the racist majority laugh as they like to see our downfall. It is downright dazzling that Spike Lee can show culture whether black, Italian, Chinese, and white in a fun perspective when talking about race. The day like this one has happened in communities across America racial tension and all and it is about time that somebody said documented it. This being stated a common point is often missed in the film when Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Who did the right thing? They and the black characters both did. By buggin' out boycotting Sal's Pizzeria for selling pizza to African Americans in their community, and not acknowledging them (pictures on the wall), he represents Martin Luther King. MLK boycotted to make a difference and when inspiring leadership he found it hard to get followers in some states (like buggin out did). When they burned down the shop as a act of revolution for killing radio rahiem it was Malcolm X, not to say that Malcolm was violent, he was nonviolent, and peaceful man who believed in self defense, however, he said that revolution is violent and that is what happened. In the end Spike Lee communicated how a man lost his shop and another man lost his life becuase we did not, and still at times are not working together to solve our problems. Spike Lee is the last classic director we have in illustrating what America tries to hide, and challenges us to change it!!!!Movie Review: Film Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
This is still Spike Lee's greatest film and a powerhouse. I have a personal favorite but I like this one very much. A hot Brooklyn day, a pizza place, a black neighborhood and an Italian pizza parlor combine together in a violent night. It creates strong emotions and one can really identify with the people living in this neighborhood. Spike Lee is great in his films and should consider acting more often. Very moving and will stay with you long after. I've seen it several times and the impact is the same as it was when it was initially released. It's sad that nothing has changed all that much and may have gotten worse in spots. New York City is better but other cities have fallen behind. Movie Review: Spike Lee's Best Film
Summary: 5 Stars
A must see for any movie buff, or culture warrior. Spike Lee does it again in DTRT. A true representation of racial lines, and racial divides done in a way that will have you laughing and angry. Bravo Spike Lee, Bravo.Movie Review: A must see.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is Spike's third film and everything I had to say for his second film, "School Daze" (see my review) most certainly cannot be said for this one. In this movie, Spike matures. In "Do the Right Thing", Spike tackles the wider world with an extremely perceptive and compassionate eye. Rarely do I see a film which shows the many sides of a person then this film and its characters. Follow the owner of Sal's Pizza (played brilliantly by Danny Aiello) and watch the complexity of feelings he has towards his clientele (African-Americans living on the same block as Sal's store in Brooklyn). We see that he is totally and utterly compassionate as he eases his own sons' racist remarks about the customers. We watch as is culturally-inherited racism creeps up in moment of passion (when Radio Raheem refuses to shut down his boom box). In the same sense, towards the beginning of the movie we watch as a man complains to the police that two men aimed a fire hydrant at him and his car. The police casually brush it off in a manner that they are almost on the side of the two men, basically saying, "It is what it is". Towards the end of the movie, we watch the hidden rage within the police men
Social, political, cultural and psychological commentaries are abundant in this movie. I am certain that most of you out there (no matter your background) will enjoy this movie for this reason alone. But for cinematography buffs you will have a field day. Taking place during the course of one day, what just so happens to be the hottest day of the year, the choice of colors are as sizzling as the sun with vibrant reds and oranges. The angles of the shots are also something to mention.
Lastly, I have never seen a Spike Lee joint, until a few days ago when I started with his first film. Now after watching his third film I am beginning to see some similarities which may or may not be his unique style. Something which I just love and was prominent in this film was his sense of humor. I, so far, love Lee's sense of humor. Actually he does not get a rise out of me, that is I have never laughed out loud, however he does something better. With his ironic humor he makes me smile a smile of joy. The perfect example of this is when Spike Lee's character and his sister's (in real life and in the movie) character are standing on the side of Sal's building and get into a fight. As they yell and bicker, they both see a humor in this yelling and bickering and chuckle. The fighting continues but they both wear smiles.
One regret about this film, I wish I saw it in its Criterion format.
On his third film now, I am just itching to see what's next. Next review Mo' Better Blues.