Introduction
Spike Lee is an influential and prominent figure in American cinema. He is known for his provocative and bold films that challenge the audience to confront controversial subjects such as social justice, identity, and race. His films are recognized for their intense energy, creative use of visual techniques, and dynamic use of music and sound. Lee’s work often explores complex ideas and themes through an individual experience lens, which creates a thought-provoking and nuanced portrait of modern American life.
The essay examines two of the most significant films in Lee’s career, focusing on the strategies he utilized to create a specific tone and mood. Furthermore, the essay will examine critical reviews of Lee’s films to understand his impact on the industry. Spike Lee’s early life prepared him for a successful artistic journey, as exemplified by innovative techniques in editing, sound, music, cinematography, special camera work, and special effects in Malcolm X and Do the Right Thing.
Life and Career of Spike Lee
Spike Lee was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1957 and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He attended John Dewey High School, where his interest in filmmaking began. Brooklyn was a vibrant cultural scene that was influenced by the film and music industries. Lee’s parents were both artists, which likely contributed to his interest in creative fields. He went on to study mass communication at Morehouse College, where he began making short films (Sanderson, 2019). After graduating in 1979, he enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts program at New York University, where he honed his filmmaking skills.
Lee started a career in filmmaking with his first feature film, known as She’s Gotta Have It. Following the success of his first film, Lee established himself as the industry’s rising talent. He went on to direct various movies, including The School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, and 25th Hour. Lee’s career as a filmmaker has been praised for provocative themes of social justice, identity, and race (Sanderson, 2019). His contributions to the film industry as a producer, actor, and writer are significant, as he has won many awards and inspired audiences.
Important Films, Honors, and Awards
Spike Lee’s most important films include Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, and BlacKkKlansman. The movies address issues of race, social justice, and civil rights and have received rave reviews for their cultural impact and cinematic innovation. Lee has been nominated for six Academy Awards throughout his career, winning one in 2019. BlacKkKlansman earned Lee his first Academy Award for the Best Adapted Screenplay category.
Lee’s first nomination came in 1990 for the film Do the Right Thing in the Best Original Screenplay category. Other nominations include Best Documentary Feature (4 Little Girls), Best Original Screenplay (Jungle Fever), and Best Documentary Short Subject (Two Daughters). Besides individual nominations, Inside Man and Malcolm X have been nominated for Academy Awards (Sanderson, 2019). In addition to Academy Awards recognition, Lee has received extra honors and awards.
Critical Opinions
Lee has been a controversial film industry figure, and critics have praised his ability to explore difficult subjects and portray complex characters. In contrast, critics have criticized his approach for being too didactic or polemical. One of Lee’s most popular films, Do the Right Thing, has received critical acclaim since its release in 1989.
Some critics have called the film the most controversial film of its release year. Furthermore, reviewers have acknowledged the director’s ability to portray life in a typical Brooklyn neighborhood realistically and vividly (Quinney, 2022). The film has been lauded for its willingness and boldness to tackle police brutality and race head-on.
Malcolm X and BlacKkKlansman received widespread critical acclaim, establishing themselves as important works in Lee’s career. Malcolm X was praised for portraying the life of a civil rights leader in a detailed way and for Washington’s powerful performance. Some critics called it an extraordinary biopic, while others praised Lee’s skilled ability to bring Malcolm’s story to life and direction (Johnson, 2022).
Reviewers praised Lee’s cast’s performances, the blending of satire and history, and the direction in BlacKkKlansman. Some critics described the film as a funny, clever, and scary wake-up call for today’s society. However, the film was criticized for occasional heavy-handed political messages, with the majority praising the movie for its powerful execution and bold vision (Letort, 2022). The critical opinions highlight the widely known impact of Lee’s artistic influence.
Editing
In Do the Right Thing, Lee extensively uses montage editing to build tension and depict the escalating conflict between various groups in the Brooklyn neighborhood. The film’s opening credits sequence features close-ups of different characters’ faces and offers an example of a montage used to set the tone and introduce the main themes of the film. Another use of montage is shown in the scene where Radio Raheem and Sal’s son fight and successfully build tension through quick, jarring shots (Lee, 1989).
In Malcolm X, Lee utilizes montage to great effect in the movie’s opening sequence, which features images of African-American culture and history (Lee, 1992). The sequence sets the stage for the film’s depiction of Malcolm X’s legacy and life.
Sound and Music
In both Malcolm X and Do the Right Thing, Lee uses music to enhance the emotional impact and tone of key scenes. In Do the Right Thing, Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” is played repeatedly throughout the film to reinforce the movie’s messages and themes (Lee, 1989).
In Malcolm X, Lee uses music to convey different eras of life and the character’s emotional journey. For instance, jazz music is used in the early scenes to create a sense of place and time (Lee, 1992). Additionally, Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” is played during a dancing scene between Malcolm X and his wife to send a message of perseverance and hope. Furthermore, the song is a fitting backdrop to the achievements and struggles of the civil rights movement, in which Malcolm X played a substantial role.
Cinematography
Lee uses cinematography in both films to reflect his artistic style. In Do the Right Thing, striking camera angles and vibrant colors create a sense of intensity and energy. For instance, when Mookie throws garbage through Sal’s pizzeria window, the cinematography has a powerful visual impact (Lee, 1989). Cinematography is utilized in Malcolm X in the scenes where Malcolm X travels throughout the Middle East and Africa (Lee, 1992). The camera captures the diversity and beauty of the regions, using sweeping shots of architectural wonders and landscapes, allowing the audience to experience different cultures.
Camera Work and Special Effects
In both Malcolm X and Do the Right Thing, Lee employed special effects. Lee captures the emotions and intensity of significant moments in Do the Right Thing with close-ups and slow-motion images. For instance, to highlight the importance of the act, the sequence in which Mookie throws a trash can through Sal’s window is filmed in slow motion. To make the picture more effective, Lee also used stunt work to give authenticity to the anticlimactic sequence where the cops arrive and the commotion gets worse (Lee, 1989). In Malcolm X, Lee uses special effects to bring historical events to life. Malcolm X’s assassination scene is shot using multiple angles, different speeds, and quick cuts to create confusion and chaos as bullets are juxtaposed with images of the crowd’s reaction (Lee, 1992).
In terms of special camera work, Lee used various techniques to create his desired effect. In Do the Right Thing, Lee utilized a hand-held camera to capture the characters’ movement and energy. This style adds realism and immediacy, making the audience feel as if they are part of the scene (Lee, 1989). In Malcolm X, Lee used a Steadicam to produce smooth and fluid movements that reflected Malcolm’s charisma and confidence (Lee, 1992). As the film progresses, the camerawork becomes more fragmented and erratic, creating a sense of uncertainty and confusion for Malcolm.
Conclusion
Spike Lee is a masterful filmmaker who has influenced American cinema with his unique and impactful style. His use of sound and music, editing, special effects, cinematography, and special camera work contributes to the thematic and emotional resonance of his films. Whereas his films have been praised for boldness and the ability to explore difficult subjects, they have also been criticized for several reasons. Regardless of one’s opinion, Lee’s work has an undeniable impact on American cinema and has influenced critical conversations about social justice and race.
References
Johnson, M. J. (2022). “A new black aesthetic” and not “a new blackness”: An Analysis of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing (Doctoral dissertation, University of Washington).
Lee, S. (Director). (1989). Do the Right Thing. Universal Pictures.
Lee, S. (Director). (1992). Malcolm X. Warner Bros.
Letort, D. (2022). Introduction: BlacKkKlansman, “on the right side of history”?Black Camera, 13(2), 203-206. Web.
Quinney, D. N. (2022). Do the ‘write’ thing: Utilizing Spike Lee to read the word and world. Race and Pedagogy Journal: Teaching and Learning for Justice, 5(4), 1. Web.
Sanderson, E. L. (2019). Spike Lee’s bamboozled and blackface in American culture. McFarland.