Da 5 Bloods (2020)

DVD CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  154 Minutes 

Rated: R   

Genre: Adventure, Drama, War

Director: Spike Lee

Starring: Delroy Jones, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Melanie Thierry, Jean Reno, Chadwick Boseman

IMDB Rank: 6.5/10

Part 1 Time:  82 Minutes 

Part 2 Time:  72 Minutes

***Released exclusively for Netflix.

Where does the first part end?  Paul (Delroy Lindo), Otis (Clarke Peters), Eddie (Norm Lewis), and Melvin (Isiah Whitlock Jr.), also known as the group the Bloods with David (Jonathan Majors) find the hidden gold, and the remains of Stormin’ Norman (Chadwick Boseman). They say a prayer.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: ” In your son’s righteous and holy name, we pray.” David speaks. The bloods respond “Amen.”

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Damn! What is that sound?” David speaks to Paul.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, the group has made the hike into the Vietnam jungle finding almost the impossible, the case of gold they left over 45 years ago during the Vietnam war. But many questions remain such as will the group make it out of the jungle alive with the gold? Who is tracking them in the jungle? How will they get the gold successfully out of Vietnam?

Which part is better? In part one we are introduced to multiple characters who will play a key role in the events portrayed in part two. Part one is given an honourable mention as it details the effects of the Vietnam war on African American soldiers. However part two is better as it includes many scenes of action and suspense, which ultimately ties up character subplots.

Academy Awards: Best Music (Nominated)