Da 5 Bloods (2020 Spike Lee & co-scr)

Actually there's four writers involved - Danny Milson and Paul De Meo's original script was then reworked by Lee and Kevin Willmott (BlackKKlansman). It's long and messy, but has some nice educational shots, and a sub theme of Treasure of the Sierra Madre ('We don't need no stinking badges' is a direct quote.) With a creative use of aspect ratio - it flits between widescreen and Academy, before settling down to 1.85:1 for the main action. Like BK I don't necessarily agree with all of Spike's  directorial choices - using Lindo as his younger self in the flashbacks, for example - but it's still an entertaining film with some thought prods. River scene with 'Ride of the Valkyrie' doesn't work at all, could usefully be cut.

Delroy Lindo (who gives us a beautiful oner in the jungle), Clarke Peters, Jonathan Majors, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Mélanie Thierry, Johnny Ngueyn, Paul Walter Hauser.

Photographed by Newton Thomas Sigel.