Chi-Raq Makes Point Through Excellent Filmmaking.

Spike Lee provides a cinematic feast in the way he presents his messages in CHI-RAQ.   A narrative written mostly in verse that is direct with a combination of serious barbs, sarcasm and blunt rhetoric.  The film is presented in the form of a play in a phantasmagoric style, with costume changes, simultaneous events that stretch credulity on sets stretching over the top at times. The camerawork provides a sense of urgency.  Despite some fears I do not feel the movie put Chicago down in any manner.  It could just as easily have been focused on Philadelphia, New York etc.  The story addressed itself to issues with Chicago as the realistic backdrop.

The musical numbers are absolutely an integral part of the message delivery.  The lyrics tell strong messages through an array of musical forms — hip-hop, jazz, gospel, R&B.   The film is a well melded combination of funny and serious.

Although the entire ensemble is excellent, in my opinion John Cusack and Samuel Jackson give special performances.

The film briefly mentions Leymah Gbowee and the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace.  I wish it had expanded on that movement to add some credibility to the use of the sex withholding technique.

A well made entertaining film about a terrifying topic.

The film produced by Amazon is slowly leaving theaters and is available through Amazon Instant Video