Lionsgate | Release Date: December 4, 2015
5.4
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 65 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
27
Mixed:
20
Negative:
18
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)
10
donaldholmes3Feb 6, 2016
This is a good movie to have group discussions on issue of gang violence. Adults should view it first, than children based on their level of maturity. In truth, he did give an answer to the problem - LOVE. But we have to include all itsThis is a good movie to have group discussions on issue of gang violence. Adults should view it first, than children based on their level of maturity. In truth, he did give an answer to the problem - LOVE. But we have to include all its attributes in our everyday lives. As it is written, Love: is patient and kind, is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked, it does not keep account of the injury, it does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and never fails. Yes, the answer is LOVE. Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
All this user's reviews
4
TVJerryDec 10, 2015
Spike Lee has made some entertaining films, but when he gets political, things get heavy-handed real fast. The women of Chi-Raq (named because there are more gun deaths in Chicago than Afghanistan and Iraq combined) decide to withhold sex inSpike Lee has made some entertaining films, but when he gets political, things get heavy-handed real fast. The women of Chi-Raq (named because there are more gun deaths in Chicago than Afghanistan and Iraq combined) decide to withhold sex in an attempt to force their men to stop the violence. Their slogan, "No Peace, No **** The ploy is obviously based on the ancient Greek play “Lysistrata,” but I had no idea how literally Lee would take it: a chorus (Samuel L. Jackson), rhyming couplets, stylized confrontations. Even so, it might have worked if the message points weren't hammered home so bluntly and repeatedly…for 30 minutes longer than necessary. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
7
geedupJan 22, 2016
Very timely and a very modern take on the ancient greek tale. For this aspect, I give Lee his due. Power of thought provocation in a way that is very outside of what is happening in theaters these days. This aside, the movie played like aVery timely and a very modern take on the ancient greek tale. For this aspect, I give Lee his due. Power of thought provocation in a way that is very outside of what is happening in theaters these days. This aside, the movie played like a made for TV movie. Simple dialog, bright colors and wrapped in exagerated stereotypes. Sad that Lee, despite the important message and great concept has to do the dumb sh*t to get people to watch Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
6
LamontRaymondDec 4, 2015
It's a good movie, but it's sorely in need of an editor. And it's politics are muddled. At the very least, it brings attention to the crisis of violence in inner-city Chicago, which is highly necessary. At certain points in the movie, itIt's a good movie, but it's sorely in need of an editor. And it's politics are muddled. At the very least, it brings attention to the crisis of violence in inner-city Chicago, which is highly necessary. At certain points in the movie, it correctly urges that the people need to get their act together and stop shooting each other. At other times, Lee wants to blame the government, white people, the prison system, education, etc. for the problems. It's tough for him to reconcile the need for personal responsibility and the blame game. ALL that being said, I was entertained. Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
All this user's reviews
1
lancedance2Dec 14, 2015
Regarding Behuman's review, the movie was terrible, but Jesus Christ I hope you're a troll. Gang violence is caused by "hyper-masculinity"? You expected the "examining the gender norms that enable male violence"? Are you seriously thisRegarding Behuman's review, the movie was terrible, but Jesus Christ I hope you're a troll. Gang violence is caused by "hyper-masculinity"? You expected the "examining the gender norms that enable male violence"? Are you seriously this uneducated about what's going on? First of all, we'd still be living in the stone age if it weren't for that Masculinity you are crying about. Second, when did "gender norms" ever dictate that it's OK for men to murder people? I'm pretty sure murder is highly discouraged in society. And if you want to talk about rap music, I can point out tons of female rappers who glorify violence, and not that I even think there is an issue with that, that kind of rap came as a result of the violence, it did not cause the violence. Third we know why violence is so rampant in these communities, it's because of poverty broken homes, lack of education, lack of job opportunities, drugs, and gang culture that all play a factor into the violence. They didn't talk about "gender norms" because it literally has NOTHING to do with the violence. I mean this is something that's been known for a very long time, you have to be a troll, you can't be this ignorant. Fourth, lesbians, gays, and transgenders aren't in the film because the plot of the movie isn't about them. Why wasn't there crippled people to, autistic people, or people who believe they're dogs? The film is trying to push a message and doesn't have time to meet your absurd equality quota.

It's clear you must hate black people because you are really pushing hard to keep the attention away from the actual causes of violence and crime and instead, you try to focus it on absurd nonsensical issues. Something tells me that your issue with masculinity isn't because of any violence you believe it causes, but more about your hatred for men in general. It assumes that if men don't act like women then they are doing something wrong, completely ignoring the fact that men and women are different all the way to the their instinct. I don't know what turned you against men, but taking that out by hindering attempts to solve serious issues is HIGHLY inappropriate.
Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
All this user's reviews
7
wcrosherDec 6, 2015
Director Spike Lee creates something truly creative and original with "Chi-Raq." It's fresh, has quite a lot to say about many controversial topics in today's society, and is vastly entertaining. This movie may not be very well edited, andDirector Spike Lee creates something truly creative and original with "Chi-Raq." It's fresh, has quite a lot to say about many controversial topics in today's society, and is vastly entertaining. This movie may not be very well edited, and feels a bit overpacked, but it can be overlooked for just how creative the film is. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
2
Brent_MarchantDec 5, 2015
Despite having its heart in the right place, this stunningly unfocused, poorly executed amalgamation of ideas, narrative threads, and writing and filming styles doesn't hang together as a cohesive whole. Instead, viewers are left to endure anDespite having its heart in the right place, this stunningly unfocused, poorly executed amalgamation of ideas, narrative threads, and writing and filming styles doesn't hang together as a cohesive whole. Instead, viewers are left to endure an overlong, repetitive diatribe that criticizes seemingly everyone and everything without offering much in the way of realistic solutions. The film never decides whether it wants to be incisive satire or serious drama, taking a scatter-shot approach that's akin to throwing a bowl of spaghetti against a wall to see what sticks. Unfortunately, these shortcomings obscure whatever strengths the picture has to offer, such as its excellent performances by Jennifer Hudson, Steve Harris and John Cusack. In short, "Chi-raq" represents a lost opportunity to draw serious attention to a real American tragedy. Expand
2 of 5 users found this helpful23
All this user's reviews
5
ProteusDec 7, 2015
Critics will love this movie because it is verbal clever and opinionated. But its a mess needs an editor badly and has a lot of junk in it that shouldn't be there. There is a long long long tirade by Cusack as a preacher who is wildlyCritics will love this movie because it is verbal clever and opinionated. But its a mess needs an editor badly and has a lot of junk in it that shouldn't be there. There is a long long long tirade by Cusack as a preacher who is wildly mis-cast and could have been cut completely....its just a monologue from a liberal nightly news program...lots of stuff like that. On the other hand there is a lot of clever writing and word play and some good acting by the female cast and parts are very funny. A mixed bag. Go see it if you like an urban drama comedy with a message I guess. Expand
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
All this user's reviews
2
behumanDec 10, 2015
Spike Lee has sold out black women to save black "manhood," taking his old school definition of "sex" from the porn industry, which is ironic, since the film is about becoming conscious of your own "slave conditioning." Apparently the womenSpike Lee has sold out black women to save black "manhood," taking his old school definition of "sex" from the porn industry, which is ironic, since the film is about becoming conscious of your own "slave conditioning." Apparently the women in this film did not get that memo regarding sexuality. Also shamefully hetero normative. Lesbian, gay and trans gender people of color simply do not exist (other than one embarrassingly homophobic caricature). I expected a polemic examining the gender norms that enable male violence. Instead, this film went out of its way to reinforce a strict gender binary in which females are dressed as porn stars and move like
strippers and are the objects of lust. Women’s true power to end male violence is in waking up to their own "sex slave conditioning" and stop finding psychopathic pimps and murderers sexy—in life or on film. Chi-raq is one step forward, two steps back in analyzing and addressing the true cause of male gang violence--toxic hyper masculinity and the sexual scripts that enable it, which this film not only enthusiastically reinforces, but celebrates, making this "Joint" an epic fail.
Expand
0 of 5 users found this helpful05
All this user's reviews
6
jrodfilmsDec 6, 2015
a sometimes refreshing sometimes frustrating movie. the main character chi-raq is hardly a focus in the film, and there is not enough story to see why the violence is going on, just lots of screaming and blaming, samuel l jackson gives aa sometimes refreshing sometimes frustrating movie. the main character chi-raq is hardly a focus in the film, and there is not enough story to see why the violence is going on, just lots of screaming and blaming, samuel l jackson gives a great nod to 'Dolemite.' Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
0
hendrikchipmanJan 5, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An hour into this movie, I wanted it to stop. This movie goes for too long. They should have made this movie 1 hour long rather than 2 hours. My partner debunked this movie in 2 seconds. She said "boycotting sex would not work because the men would just find new partners". Yet, Spike Lee made a 2 hour movie about something that could easily be debunked in 2 seconds. This movie was also a Hollywood//leftie propaganda piece. John Cusak came off as an anti-gun nutter. There was one scene where John was preaching against gun violence on the pulpit. I can think of no better analogy to describe this movie. It was about a bunch of privileged Hollywood actors preaching about gun violence. No one likes to preached at.

I also didn't like the content of this story. The women withheld sex from the men to stop gun violence. Leave aside the fact that this would not work, why didn't the women just dob their partners in? If the men were murdering people (including children), a lack of sex does not seem like a fitting punishment. And, if these men were gang members and were killing children, wouldn't there be a risk of rape if the women withheld sex? I guess Spike Lee didn't think of this.

I feel like I need to respond to the propaganda presented in this movie. (1) Spike Lee introduced the movie by comparing the deaths in the Iraq war to murders in Chicago. As a statistics graduate, I suggest Spike Lee compare all of the murders in Iraq during this period and include Iraqi deaths to get a better comparison between the two areas. (2) Spike Lee can criticize the South all he wants but he cannot deny that Texas has a better track record than Chicago regarding gun violence.

All in all, a waste of time, to be preached at by a bunch of privileged actors. Also, why was John Cusak the head of an all black church? That doesn't make sense. Oh, and I couldn't understand a word Samuel Jackson or John Cusak said. This is what I heard: "blah blah blah leftie nonsense blah blah blah guns are bad blah blah blah something racist blah blah blah blah". In summary, I wouldn't even recommend pirating this movie.
Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
All this user's reviews
8
SpangleJan 29, 2016
A great modern take on both the situation in Chicago and the ancient Greek play Lysistrata, Chi-raq is one of my favorite Spike Lee films. I say that as someone who does not really like Lee, so this one ranks as one of the few I do like. AA great modern take on both the situation in Chicago and the ancient Greek play Lysistrata, Chi-raq is one of my favorite Spike Lee films. I say that as someone who does not really like Lee, so this one ranks as one of the few I do like. A provocative look at the situation in Chicago, the film makes you want to run out and change the world like portrayed in the film. The writing is phenomenal and incredibly creative and shows the great blending of the Greek comedy and the hip-hop influence to be found in the film. Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, Angela Bassett, and John Cusack, are all phenomenal here. Admittedly, the film can be a bit vulgar and far-fetched at times, but if you are willing to go where the film wants you to, it will be a very enjoyable experience. Though the plot itself can be messy, it is thematically tight and the pieces all work if you think about what they are symbolic of and are meant to represent, a lot of which ties to both the Greek-influence, as well as today's violence and sexuality. Chi-raq will not be for everyone, but was luckily for me. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
0
Drago_MalikFeb 11, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The problem is gang murders in Chicago. The gorgeous female protagonist's solution is for all women to go on sexual strike till it stops. When it is resolved there is a pish posh of leftist wishlist solutions tagged onto to the contract for all social problems like some legislation in Congress. The scope of the movie had long before went out of focus skipping to scenes that just seemed out of place for a real issue that could have had some proper attention. Instead we end up with fluff and a pipe dream that is ineffective for resolving anything. There are some real moments, mostly with the mother who lost her child. A line that resonates with me is when she yelled at onlookers saying they didn't deserve to see her child laying there. I felt the same way when I saw my first dead body. I was ashamed to see them like that knowing them that way when their family didn't even know yet. That was excellent. The movie seems to be directed in patches where there is some drama and then we go into some comedy and they just don't meld together at all. The comedy is just out of place. Sadly the politics is pretty much one dimensional, hence the solution is inadequate. I didn't care for the rhyming dialogue either. John Cusack was definitely out of place and doesn't do a good preacher. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
4
TimbarosDec 11, 2016
Chicago has such a high murder rate that from 2003 to 2011 there were more murders there than in the same years in the Iraq war. On one Independence Day, 55 people were murdered. And in one year alone, 400 school kids were shot. With statsChicago has such a high murder rate that from 2003 to 2011 there were more murders there than in the same years in the Iraq war. On one Independence Day, 55 people were murdered. And in one year alone, 400 school kids were shot. With stats like this, a film with a message about violence and murder in the Windy City is seriously needed. But don’t expect it from Spike Lee’s new film called ‘Chi-raq’ (Chicago and Iraq).

What we do get instead is a musical drama where woman ‘take away the **** from the men in order to stop them from using their guns. This is triggered by the death of a local girl who is the daughter of a church going religious momma (Jennifer Hudson). This in turns leads Lysistrata (yes, that’s her character’s name – and she’s played brilliantly by Teyonah Parris), to withhold sex from her boyfriend Demetrius, whose nickname is ‘Chi-raq (a surprisingly good turn by an unrecognizable and very buffed up Nick Cannon a/k/a the former Mr. Mariah Carey). Lysistrata rallies her girlfriends to do the same, and they all band together to declare ‘no peace, no **** while wholed up in an armory in downtown Chicago (the scene where Lysistrata seduces the general in charge of the armory is got to be the most ridiculous scene this year). This sex strike makes the men crazy, they’re missing their women, and even the mayor’s wife joins the strike, causing him (played by D.B. Sweeney) to intervene in this major crises that’s taking place in his city, and, of course, right before a re-election.

It’s the women who take center stage in this movie; they’re sexy and hot and all of them seem to be wearing very little clothing, and what they do wear is extremely provocative – tight fitting tops and shorts – with padlocks over their crotches (yes, for real). It’s quite misogynistic. It all comes to a head when Lysistrata and Demetrius have a sort of sex-off to resolve the crises that’s televised live for everyone to see. Really stupid stuff there.

Spike Lee has a voice and the talent to make a film that could’ve highlighted the problems and issues dealing with Chicago’s murder rate, but instead he’s written, produced and co-wrote a satire/comedic farce that can’t decide whether it’s a musical, a tragi-comedy, or something so surreal and stupid that you can’t believe that it’s is unfolding right before your very eyes. The cast is first rate, including Angela Bassett as a woman who had a daughter that was killed by a stray bullet, and John Cusak as the local white priest who has to preside over the many funerals that take place in the black neighborhood. The music is excellent and the locations and cinematography are all first rate. Samuel Jackson is ridiculous as a narrator who pops up every now and then wearing very bright colored suits – his role is a distraction that doesn’t really help the film’s narrative. ‘Chi-raq’ was released in U.S. Cinemas in 2015 and was a commercial bomb, making only $2.7 million from a budget of $15 million. It’s a film that’s likely to recoup it’s costs back – deversedly so.
www.TheEntertainmentWebsite.com
Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
royphishoohJan 27, 2016
An entertaining. original and intelligent movie - it doesn't stand a chance at the American box office. Samuel Jackson and Mariah Carey's ex-husband were great
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
smiyamotJan 29, 2016
I give credit to Spike Lee for taking on a troubling problem in our inner cities, guns and gangs. But I'm not sure his style of movie making is a good match for this topic. Almost seemed to be making light of a serious problem. I wasI give credit to Spike Lee for taking on a troubling problem in our inner cities, guns and gangs. But I'm not sure his style of movie making is a good match for this topic. Almost seemed to be making light of a serious problem. I was pleasantly surprised that the dialog was in poetic rhyme; I like a director that takes a chance. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
TrailesqueNov 19, 2017
This could have been a disaster with critics and at the box office, so kudos to Lee and the rest of his crew for taking a chance with some tricky material. The film combines elements of classic Greek theater with contemporary urban drama,This could have been a disaster with critics and at the box office, so kudos to Lee and the rest of his crew for taking a chance with some tricky material. The film combines elements of classic Greek theater with contemporary urban drama, and throws in a fair amount of humor and a couple of dance numbers for good measure. It takes Aristophanes's Lysistrata and sets it in contemporary Chicago, with a group of young ladies deciding to withhold their sexual favors until their menfolk decide to renounce violence. A totally unique film, and enjoyable to watch. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
JPKJul 8, 2019
Generally Enjoyable
Chi-Raq has a really good cast, terrific music, and solid directing by Lee.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
bdjudeJan 11, 2018
It is so messy and never on par with 'Do the right thing'. Hope the technical aspect was simple as the 1989 classic that would have made this movie a cult classic. Disappointing at the end as this is a Lee joint!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
2
FlominkFeb 21, 2020
Nothing is really left to the imagination as this film constantly insists on beating you over the head with its messages, and the motives of its characters. From clunky, barely rhyming dialogue to music whose lyrics are just "this is what isNothing is really left to the imagination as this film constantly insists on beating you over the head with its messages, and the motives of its characters. From clunky, barely rhyming dialogue to music whose lyrics are just "this is what is happening, and this is why it's bad", much of it becomes insufferable as the movie progresses and it's constantly forced on to the listener. The first twenty minutes are very well made, and if the movie maintained that tone, it could have been very compelling. Half way through the film, however, it completely loses direction and decides, rather than telling a compelling story, to beat the viewer over the head with as many political messages and talking points as they could possibly think of when writing without any consideration for how it fit into the narrative, or the overall message of the movie (if it even has one beyond these talking points). The priest has to be one of the weakest performances in this movie. From the scene he is introduced to the end of the movie, he acts only to move the plot along or to try and stuff an already bloated movie with more messages and talking points. Beyond his poor performance, at times he'd seem to fit better in a death metal band than in a movie that wants anyone to take it seriously, his dialogue has a manic flow that rarely ever amounts to anything in the grand scheme of the movie. The narrative, at the aforementioned half way point, struggles to find out where it is, and where it wants to go, vaguely following the plot of the comedy it's based on, Lysistrata, but seemingly having no idea what to really do once it gets there. There are some funny moments, and at times the narrator can be pretty entertaining, and like I said earlier, the introduction is very compelling, but ultimately the movie is a mess that tries to say way too much, and do too much without any clear direction beyond delivering these messages as rapidly as possible. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews