Detroit (2017) – spoiler free film review
Just wanted to quickly tell you that Detroit is available now to view free on Prime. I implore you to watch it – I implore you! I mean apart from being really good, it’s rare that Prime actually have a decent listing going on, that isn’t a cut price Liam Neeson ‘classic’, something generic with skinny teens and a Ouija board (again?) or a film that was released over a trillion years ago. I mean bloody hell Amazon, don’t you think I own that on DVD already? Oh, but you suddenly wanna charge me £3.95 for Trainspotting that’s over 20 years old just because the sequel came out last year. Yeah THANKS you bastards. I can count on one hand the amount of films I’ve been excited to see on Prime – Detroit, Goodnight Mommy and The Green Inferno (which you now have to pay for).
ANYWAY. Back to my Detroit review, which I thought was fantastic, easily one of the best films I’ve seen in a while – and definitely the best Kathryn Bigelow film I’ve EVER seen. Though I do include Near Dark in that so, er, yeah….. no further comment (sorry Bill Paxton, wherever you are, still love YOU of course).
Detroit was released last year (though I hadn’t heard of it until my first watch – with my finger on the button as usual!). It tells the story of a horrific, true event that occurred one night in the midst of the 1967 Detroit Riots.
I don’t have to say TOO much about the plot or incident in question and hopefully what I DO say won’t come across as cliché or obvious or ‘the right thing to say’ – but baaaaasically innocent black kids and aggressive, white police officers make up a lot of the main cast. And things do get pretty ugly. It can be hard to watch in places, but – without sounding weird – it’s also completely captivating.
It does have a fairly long duration, just under two and a half hours but in fairness you don’t notice it a lot. Happily it’s one of those movies where the second half is on a par with the first half (if not better than), which I feel is SO important with these longer, more serious films. We all know that disappointed feeling when potentially great movies begin to tail off, aside from being boring it also makes them a lot less memorable. Well if anything, Detroit was more of a slow starter, but the tone and characters are set up well and there’s a lot of cool, Motown music to enjoy (anyone know The Dramatics?) too.
The main thing that struck me though – apart from the powerful story itself – was the acting. The two main actors are Will Poulter (who I last saw in The Maze Runner and literally thought was still 15 years old) and John Boyega (who I’ve been a fan of since Attack the Block though he really needs to update his IMDB picture). The lads are 25 and 26 respectively, okay, not kids exactly but I kind of – in a non-patronising way (hopefully) – did think of them as kids. But EPIC KIDS. Kids who absolutely fucking carried this movie and helped make it what it was. Superb acting, utterly believable, perfect (to my ears) American accents. They played their roles wonderfully and it made me feel kinda proud of these young, British actors. They did a really great job and for me, made this movie just that extra bit special.
I know this hasn’t been that ‘informative’ as a review (except for all the stuff about Amazon Prime of course), but what else can I say? I don’t want to give anything away. But it’s enthralling, well made, well acted, well shot. And it feels relevant and important. If you’re in the mood to watch something you can really get into, immerse yourself in the plot, then this is definitely one to consider.
emmakwall (explains it all) 
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I do like those actors, so might have to give this one a go.
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Do Geoff! I’d love to hear your thoughts 🙂
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Agreed – this is a great film. However Amazon Prime does offer a lot if you expand your horizons beyond the Hollywood fare! 😉
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What? What does that mean?!!! I watched Goodnight Mommy on there, does that count? 🙂 I have no problem with subtitles, sir! 🙂
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I was referring to “it’s rare that Prime actually have a decent listing going on,” when there are tons of great world cinema titles on there. 🙂
And I didn’t mean you specifically either! 😉
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I know, I was only kidding 🙂 I have Tango and Cash queued up to watch next so there is truth in what you say ha ha!
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QED! 😛
BTW – you’d best get over to iPlayer if you want to see the Ian Dury film – it expires today! 😮
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I WAS TOO LATE! 😦 but thanks for reminding me bro!
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Detroit, now there’s a catchy name for a flick. I remember the incident that is the basis for the film. In 1967, the Detroit police force was 97% white, or maybe it was 96%. Anyway, you can see how that would be a problem. Detroit also had a liberal mayor, and a rep for being one of the most progressive US cities on racial issues. But, history was moving at a breakneck pace in 1967 and a lot of folks resented being left behind.
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Definitely a major problem, that’s very interesting Tom. Have you seen the film?
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I really fancy this film, but don’t have Amazon TV. I expect I will just buy the DVD though, as it looks good enough to own. ‘Near Dark’ and ‘Blue Steel’ will take some beating though! 🙂
As ever, Pete. XXX
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Really think you’ll love it Pete. Didn’t do that well at the box office but caprovinatinf is the word. Riveting too. And explosive. An incredible film.
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Thanks, Alex.
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By the way, I looked up ‘caprovinatinf’, and couldn’t find it in the dictionary. 🙂
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Ha! Was supposed to be captivating. You’re more than welcome to use my alternative spelling though.
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I knew it was captivating. 🙂
Just teasing mate! Reminded me of that Donald Trump word, ‘Covfeve’
Best wishes, Pete.
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Point Break anyone?
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I didn’t mind it, but Keanu Reeves? 🙂
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Haha Reeves can be good and was well suited to this film which slyly mocked the genre by turning things up to 11.
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I think I remember a scene in one film where he was good. Hang on….No, it’s gone… 🙂
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Hahahahaha.
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I have to check out Permanent Record and River’s Edge. He got a persona from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Parenthood he’s been battling ever since. No question he can be wooden, some use this to their advantage and some do not but I hold to that claim he was good in My Own Private Idaho. Also Point Break, Speed, The Matrix, John Wick, The Replacements all good movies. There’s a trailer out for a film with him and Winona Ryder where he’s playing against type. Man I hope its good. It could help create a second career for him the way Bridget Jones’s Diary helped Hugh Grant and Winona could use a hit.
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My Own Private Idaho was very good. He was good in it too, but acted off the screen by River Phoenix. I just wish he could drop the standard ‘sulky look’, and try something different, like historical drama perhaps. Still, I can’t act for toffee, and he’s a multi-millionaire, so what do I know? 🙂
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You know quite a lot last time I checked Pete. You’re right River Phoenix was really good in that movie. That was another one I saw with Mike and we both found something so powerful about the campfire scene. So well acted.
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I think River was a sad loss. I expected great things of him back then.
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Yes very sad.
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I’m still laughing reading your reply.
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WOAH!
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Blue Steel makes me think of Zoolander 🙂
I know, I know!!!! xxx
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I’m going to have to think about that one, as I haven’t seen Zoolander. (Stiller) XXX
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Doooo it! xxx
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