"No Peace. No Pussy."

2015 saw Spike Lee release two pictures; one of them a Kickstarter project that ended up being murdered by critics and ignored by audiences who wanted nothing to do with that feature, and then this one - Chi-Raq - a late year surprise that came out of nowhere. Most people didn’t even know of this film’s existence and all over the sudden a bang was heard, Lee’s new feature would be released during Oscar season and the buzz around it was rock-solid, in fact the best of any Lee’s recent joints.

Chi-Raq is a minor comeback to Spike Lee who here produces an immensely flawed, but equally important feature. It’s good to see Lee back being this playful and charming, but above all this critical and urgent. This film might have seen its release in a premature fashion due to some awards hopefulness or maybe because the producers thought this was the best time to release this feature, but in my eyes, I like to think that Chi-Raq was released this way because its message was urgent and vital. Its observation and criticism on gang, racial, police and street violence make this movie a work that’s important to see, even in all its flaws. This urgency and critical eye is in fact the film’s biggest asset.

Even if uneven, one can’t deny Spike Lee’s good intentions. Yes this may have an agenda and yes this may be bluntly indiscreet, but I can’t be truly mad ‘cos its message is so important. Have you ever heard of Marvin Gaye’s album What’s Going On? Well Lee’s film is a bit like that. It’s message is timeless and it is sang wholeheartedly, but the truth is that it isn’t exactly subtle either. Lee here speaks wholeheartedly as he passes the message, that in my view is more important than whether or not the message is conveyed with delicacy.

Asides from the not-so-subtle sensibilities, the film does have other issues and one of them is its pace. Chi-Raq might be a satire fueled with comedy, tits-and-ass, plus some violence, but nevertheless it somehow still drags. Truth is that it is overlong – as it runs for over two hours – and in its late second act and the whole third act lag. Then we have the script; the movie may embrace a different kind of storytelling that has its own texture and sensibilities, Lee’s feature is also witty, charming and playful and there’s no doubt that no movie alike this one was released in 2015, yet Chi-Raq still features convenient and sloppy writing. The prime example is its ending where we see a bunch of guys signing treaties and giving jobs as though it's candy and thus proving world peace. Wait what?!

Yet another problem that this joint features is its unevenness when it comes to tone. Chi-Raq goes from witty satire, to gangs flick, to drama where there is tears and shouts. These moments are transitioned in a not-so-accomplished way since the film soon becomes disengaging and at times even awkward.

On the other hand the film’s positives are its wittiness and playfulness with the subject matter; the picture welcomes its off-kilter qualities. Straight out of Dear White People is Teyonah Parris who’s fire in this picture; she’s sexual and teasing as one can definitely see why Long-D would miss dat ass. Plus we have Wesley Snipes back on the big screen and he’s solid, surprisingly funny actually; L. Jackson also has a small little witty role as our narrator; John Cusack takes a break from appearing in shitty B-Movies and appears here solid, even if over the top; another highlight is Dave Chappelle’s short cameo which is hilarious!

Chi-Raq may be uneven and unbalanced, it may be too long, but it’s worthwhile, since one can’t help but to sympathize with it even if it isn’t just because of its important message.