Critique: Film> Reviews.

(This review contains spoilers. You have been warned.)

Reviews of Dead Presidents are mixed amongst popular critics (and rightly so) as it feels like there are two different films rolled into one here.

Set in the late '60s, we meet Anthony (Larenz Tate, Menace II Society), an African-American youth who is about to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. Accompanied by his buddies Skip (Chris Tucker) and Jose (Freddy Rodriguez), he is sent to fight the war in Vietnam, and has to endure the devastating effects of violence, racism and poverty, in order to serve their country.

Although escaping physically unharmed, the group eventually return home and discover that things start to get worse. Skip soon converts to being a heroin addict, Jose starts to believe that starting fires is the best method of reliving his tension, and Anthony squabbles constantly with his girlfriend (Rose Jackson) about not being able to find a decent job to support his family.

What I like about Dead Presidents is the characters never really feel heartless or completely clichéd; they always seem interesting and believable, despite things changing within their home environment. The film gives you the impression that these youths are dissatisfied by the treatment they received as black soldiers, but never goes too far as to shove it down our throats. Accompanied by a mellow blues soundtrack, the atmosphere feels relaxed throughout.

That is until Anthony and his friends decide to rob an armoured car full with thousands of used dollar bills (the slang term being "dead presidents"). This scene just seems to come out of no where. What's more puzzling is Anthony's sister-in-law Delilah -- a black revolutionist who has never committed a crime in her life -- and his brother (Bokeem Woodbine) -- a religious preacher -- play a key part in this. It all seems too extravagant in making its point of returning war veterans being neglected by the US government.

Still, no matter how out of place this scene felt from the rest of the movie, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. With plenty of suspense and violence, it was hard not to feel compelled to watch those particular moments.

As a movie on the whole, however, the robbery scene just doesn't feel like it fits with the early scenes, and Dead Presidents just ends up feeling unfulfilling and distinctly average.

(C) Andy Carrington, 2009.