Detroit

Annapurna Pictures | Release Date: July 28, 2017

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 202 Ratings

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KenROct 31, 2018

Director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal’s ‘Detroit’ is a gruelling watch, not just for the fact it’s based on shockingly violent, and tragic events in modern USA history but because the screenplay interferes with certain facts for theDirector Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal’s ‘Detroit’ is a gruelling watch, not just for the fact it’s based on shockingly violent, and tragic events in modern USA history but because the screenplay interferes with certain facts for the sake of ‘entertainment’. While it may be the screenwriter's task to ‘dress-up’ the content of a movie it’s not their task to pad it out with violent falsehoods till it begins to lose sight of its fact-based situation. Many scenes tend to play out as unnecessary, and often they are. The main storyline focuses on the deadly 1967 race riots that already feature enough tension and brutality to sustain viewer concern. It’s uncertain what moviemakers feel they can add to these terrible events decades later - within an artificial re-enactment (maybe a quality documentary would have been a better medium?) But, it’s doubtful any good might come from this re-hashing of yesterday’s hatreds – especially given the present climate of extreme ‘identity politics’ causing division between all races - this in itself, comes across as exploitative ‘activism’ - pushing suspect negative agendas. Sometimes, revisiting certain ugly historical events can offer a moral compass - even giving us warnings signs if they are thoughtfully analysed (as with ‘The Free State Of Jones’ in ‘16) – While others, simply fuel more contempt and distrust - feeding increased hatred. Some may ‘like’ this movie but looking at the financial returns, its possible many prospective patrons may have had the wisdom to see this offering as perhaps, unfortunately, one of the latter variety.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Rebecca31Aug 9, 2017

The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty. Two terrific movies stamped on the poster of a mediocre thrown together film about the Detroit riots. Or is it about the riots? It’s a little hard to tell. Detroit takes you in so many directions it throwsThe Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty. Two terrific movies stamped on the poster of a mediocre thrown together film about the Detroit riots. Or is it about the riots? It’s a little hard to tell. Detroit takes you in so many directions it throws all these characters and their subplots at you. Oh and don’t forget to mix in some real footage of the riots so the audience doesn’t forget what they’re supposed to be watching. You have John Boyega’s character and all his problems, Will Poulter the racist cop and his issues but let’s not forget Algee Smith aka Larry the soul singer who will break into song at every single opportunity.
It’s hard to believe this film was made by the same person it changes tone so often. The story has no idea what it wants to focus on and you’re left with a mess. Once all the characters introductions are out of the way and a few clips of news footage the story decides to bring us in a slightly different direction eventually leading to the events that took place in the Algiers Motel. This section is my problem, for an hour you’re subjected to this horrendous interaction that I can only describe as comical torture porn reminiscent of “Funny Games”. Believe me that’s the last thing I expected from Detroit. The script is hilariously terrible I never once believed the idiotic things these characters were saying to each other, nothing ever felt natural. The dialogue, Will Poulter’s over the top I’m gonna totally kill every last one of you and I’m gonna smile while I do it performance. This segment feels completely out of place, a separate movie within another movie. A bad horror movie.
But wait there’s more. After the seemingly endless endurance test you also have to sit through the aftermath of the motel incident in the most rushed together court room scene I have ever watched. Honestly at this point the movie had well and truly lost me so I just didn’t care anymore. Detroit wanted me to be on the edge of my seat instead I was slouched down fighting off sleep because oh yes we’re about to sit through another song by Larry. Yeah that’s what the movie needs more singing. I didn’t expect to love this but I also didn’t expect to hate it quite as much as I did. So just in case you couldn’t tell I didn’t like Detroit one bit. Not recommended.… Expand

9 of 11 users found this helpful92

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PaulHaroldAug 17, 2017

It was alright, And liked some of the director's (K.B.) other movies. I live in Detroit, and i was just a boy during the riots, i remember it much differently than portrayed. I understand that its just my personal experience thats skewingIt was alright, And liked some of the director's (K.B.) other movies. I live in Detroit, and i was just a boy during the riots, i remember it much differently than portrayed. I understand that its just my personal experience thats skewing my view of the events in the film. Its an okay movie, and worth the ticket price, but living it, i just feel they couldn't do it the proper justice, but they tried, so A for Effort?… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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moviemitch96Aug 8, 2017

I'm sorry, but I did not find this to be a very good film at all! This was quite a misfire from the usually exceptional Kathryn Bigelow in my opinion. The film always felt too preachy about its real-life historical events and overall theme,I'm sorry, but I did not find this to be a very good film at all! This was quite a misfire from the usually exceptional Kathryn Bigelow in my opinion. The film always felt too preachy about its real-life historical events and overall theme, the opening animated sequence used to briefly describe the racial situation and tensions in Detroit felt bizarre and completely out-of-place, the characters are all unlikable, which I know they're supposed to be. However, I found myself rooting for neither the police nor the victims, as each of them all made stupid decisions throughout the film that made it hard for me to care about anyone or what would happen next. Lastly, the way things do end up turning out was not only predictable, as history has a way of repeating itself and which color or side it favors *hint hint*, but also had me leaving the theater with a very unpleasant taste in my mouth. Overall, this was really just an all-around unlikable film with an important historical story that I guess more or less had to be told, but its preachiness and the way the characters and events were played out made it near-impossible for me to like or accept it.… Expand

6 of 10 users found this helpful64

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