"Detroit" Movie Review

Detroit focuses on the riots of 1967 and the climactic standoff between dirty cops and unarmed black civilians at the Algiers Hotel. It tells three different perspectives: Krauss, Larry, and Dismukes. Krauss is a dirty cop who is aggressive and forceful towards black people. Larry created the band The Dynamics and had a passion for singing. Dismukes is a part-time security man and a witness to the horrific events. The three point-of-views collide into one event that is almost unbearable to watch.

Now, by unbearable, I don't mean that it's a bad film. In fact, it's a fantastic film. What I mean is the film shows the dark side of human nature and how despicably horrific it really is. How anyone could beat, shoot, imprison, and torture innocent bystanders is beyond me.

Will Poulter is the villain but also the star. His intense performance was riveting and unnerving. There was absolutely nothing redeemable about him which made him all the more ruthless and terrifying.

I will say that you really shouldn't bank on seeing much from John Boyega and Anthony Mackie. They are advertised as the main characters but, while important, they are not the central characters. Their names are used primarily for selling the film which is really a slap in the face to the audience.

Director Kathryn Bigelow doesn't fail to deliver the emotional punches. Detroit is one of those films where you have to let your mind soak it in and contemplate on its meaning. The history takes place in 1967 but it is still relevant to things going on today. There are still parts of the country where white cops are unfair and brutal toward black civilians and that is unacceptable.

In conclusion, I recommend going to see this film, but I also recommend you see it when you can take the rest of the day to let your mind wrap around the level of depravity that society dipped to and still dips to to this day. I give the film a 4 out of 4.