BlacKkKlansman Review: 8 Ups & 1 Down
Downs...
1. The Pacing Is A Little Sluggish In Places
The film clocks in at a fairly hefty 135 minutes, but this is a complex movie with a lot to say, so that's not inherently a bad thing. However, there are definitely a few moments where the pacing noticeably dips and things very nearly grind to a halt.
This is especially evident during Ron's (John David Washington) scenes opposite black student union president Patrice Dumas (Laura Harrier), which often feel overlong while, honestly, not adding a whole lot to the movie.
With slightly more judicious editing Lee probably could've tightened things up to a more concise 120-125 minutes and the film would be all the better for it. This is by no means a significant issue, but a minor flaw worth considering.
With that gripe in mind, here are the many things Spike Lee gets right with BlacKkKlansman...