Do the Right Thing (1989)

The critic calls it Spike Lee’s magnum opus and praises its enduring relevance to issues like gentrification, police brutality and representation. They highlight the vibrant, alive neighborhood collage created by the scattershot storytelling and strong craft elements including camerawork and score.

This is described as Spike Lee’s most assured film, a fierce racial drama whose power has not diminished. The critic praises the exemplary ensemble cast, Ernest Dickerson’s bright vibrant cinematography, the superb hip-hop and jazz soundtrack, and the result as an exhilarating, passionate modern-day classic.

The review hails the film as an uncompromising classic that remains timely in its portrayal of racial tension and injustice. It singles out the director’s keen eye for place, character and style, along with the indelible super-saturated colors and oddball ensemble in the Brooklyn neighborhood.

The critic hails the film as a timeless masterwork whose depiction of racial tensions on a sweltering Brooklyn day remains powerfully relevant. They single out the central argument over representation on Sal’s pizzeria wall as Lee’s masterstroke and a prescient culture-war moment.

Vincent Canby lauds the film as a terrific movie showcasing Spike Lee's abundant talent, noting its buoyant, fresh, and moving cinematic wizardry despite the shattering ending.

The critic praises Spike Lee's growth as a filmmaker in subtly building tension and pulling sympathies in multiple directions toward an honest conclusion about racism. They single out the film's acute observation that distils humour from accuracy rather than caricature.

Sheila Benson highlights Spike Lee's phenomenal leap as a filmmaker, commending the film's humorous yet cathartic exploration of racism and its complex human characters.

The critic praises Spike Lee's combination of a forceful statement on race relations with solid entertainment values, highlighting the ensemble cast and the insightful handling of the violent climax.

The review notes that the film will spark both positive reactions for its entertainment and spirited filmmaking and slams over whether it advocates violence. It praises Lee's audacity, courage, ideas, and strong ensemble cast while predicting strong business in big cities.

The review calls the film immensely skillful, humane, and richly detailed but criticizes it for trying to satisfy everyone and for confusing, mixed messages about violence that could create an uproar. It highlights the explosion at the end as divisive and notes the film's genial yet tense build-up on a single Brooklyn block.

The critic finds Spike Lee's 1989 film as urgent and relevant today as ever, with its portrayal of racial tensions and neighborhood life feeling timeless and organic. He singles out its direct confrontation of society's unfinished business and vibrant characters for praise while contrasting it favorably with more recent works.

The critic describes Spike Lee's film as a searing masterpiece that confronts racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood on a hot summer day through a loose, playful narrative that builds to explosive violence. They single out the film's violent climax as one of the great finales in modern film for its indelible power, unresolved moral questions, and brilliant cinematography.