Do the Right Thing

Despite the fact that Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" deals with complex and sometimes uncomfortable themes (such racism and poverty) it isn't preachy and it's not a hateful film. The acting and cinematography are top notch and most important of all, it's thought provoking. After seeing it, I wasn’t sure what to think about the characters in the film. I challenged myself to answer the following questions: Do any of the main characters in the film "do the right thing"? Why does Mookie act the way he does during the riot? What would have happened if he had not acted the way he did? How do the quotes at the end of the film relate to what happened? It's the kind of movie that really sticks with you and will have you thinking about it days after you've finished seeing it. It may start off slow, but the conclusion is well worth the wait. I am actually surprised to find that it is still just as powerful, relevant and thought provoking today as it was when it was first released in 1989. (On Blu-ray, July 27, 2012)