Black and Blue (2019)

This film was a non-stop action packed adrenaline rush from beginning to end. I really enjoy movies that make you feel the emotions of the main character as if you're going through an experience together. This is a connection that was very present in this film. It truly was everything I hoped it would be. It worked as an action movie and as a drama. It also provided some realism and a message, which for me is the perfect action movie formula.

Black and Blue (2019) was written by Peter A. Dowling and directed by Deon Taylor. It stars Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Frank Grillo and Mike Colter. Alicia West (Harris) just returned home to New Orleans after touring in Iraq. She joins the police force and quickly learns that the city is far different than when she left. During her third week on the force, she witnesses a police officer shooting a civilian and she caught the video on her police cam and managed to escape, but now she is on the run and has absolutely nobody she can trust.

.The script was very impressive. I really felt the hopelessness in officer West’s predicament. The way the story moved along felt very natural and never had a boring moment.

The actors in this film all did a great job, but I think the stand out performance for me was Mike Colter who played a ruthless gang leader named Darius. He had a dark and threatening tone that was a treat to watch, and he was very intimidating.

There was a lot of realism in this film that was interesting.It felt like a mirror on our society reflecting the racism and injustice that still exists. It is a major problem in low income areas.Some police are accused of seeing these people as a lost cause and turning a blind eye to crime. Unfortunately I believe that there is some truth to that.

Check out this movie if you are a fan of high adrenaline action, but be aware of the violence and body count.

• Black and Blue (2019) had a budget of 12 million dollars and has made 22.7 million worldwide.
• This movie was filmed in Louisiana.
• The final shootout was filmed at the same apartment complex as featured in Contraband (2012) featuring Mark Walberg.
• MLB player Mitch Moreland of the Boston Red Sox has an uncredited role as a New Orleans police officer storming an apartment complex.
• This film had its world premiere at the Urbanworld Film Festival on September 21, 2019 and was released in North America on October 25, 2019 by Screen Gems, a division of Sony Pictures.
• This film was originally called Exposure.
• Naomie Harris was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards.