This
police action film keeps its intensity from beginning to end. It drops us
into a scary world of well-armed black gangs, a hostile poor black population
and a corrupt police force. It is New Orleans with large swathes of land
and people that have never recovered from Katrina. Filmed in New Orleans
with a desolate brush. Areas that the cops are too terrified to go into.
I have no idea how realistic this is but I would guess it at least touches
on the truth. Maybe more. It could almost be taking place in a post-apocalyptical
world, but it is now.
Back from two tours in Afghanistan, black
female officer West (Naomie Harris, Miss Moneypenny in three films) has joined
the force and is partnered with Jennings (Reid Scott) as they patrol the
neighborhoods where she grew up. The danger and paranoia ooze out of every
situation, every confrontation. But worse is to come. It is going to be a
very long day for West.
When they don't have enough staff to patrol
at night, she volunteers and gets paired with Officer Brown, a large hulking
black man who is not happy being stuck with her. He has to make a stop, tells
her to stay in the car, she hears two gunshots and goes to investigate. She
should have stayed in the car. She witnesses two drug cops (Frank Grillo)
execute a young man. Brown is there. Captures it on her body cam. Now she
has to be silenced. The film turns into a wild desperate chase for the remainder
of the film. Other corrupt cops join in. The black gang led by Darius (Mike
Colter, Luke Cage) join in as well. Without a gun or her phone in a world
where only one person is willing to help (Tyrese Gibson). Some of this feels
generic, but placing it in this volatile environment and having the protagonist
a black actress sets it apart and makes it more than just another action
film about corrupt cops. The acting from everyone is excellent with Harris
in nearly every scene. The director is Deon Taylor and the cinematographer
is Dante Spinotti, The Last of the Mohicans, Heat, LA Confidential.
