Tolu Tijani

3D is the way to watch this movie; I highly recommend the experience. My friends and I stretched our hands out numerous times to touch things and particles that weren't there and we said to each other, "someone sat down to make this." It's an amazing thing they've done with CG. The visuals are stunning and the acting is powerful. I appreciate that the story line is simple, and I didn't have to dissect much... vibes are what I bought my ticket for. I haven't seen anyone note this, but the Sully family dynamics felt like a realistic strict household. My friends and I are raised by African parents and I could understand why the Sully kids call their dad Sir, notice the shift in how Jake and Ney'tiri interact, and expect acts of rebellion. It comes down to the fact that Jake is a military man and respect for elders is critical in Na'vi communities. But damn they love each other in that family. Show some love, go watch the movie! Don't forget to grab some food/drinks if you didn't eat before the show and just enjoy yourself :)

What is life if not hope despite chaos? Our main actors are sublime! Everything draws you right in. I can’t express how much I thought ‘why didn’t I watch this sooner?’ as the movie went on. This isn’t your run off the mill movie that has flawed characters who make you ask why they’re this stupid or why they’re so good in orchestrating disasters. It’s never black or white and I felt so close to their stories that I truly did root for them. I didn’t want to imagine an end (a tragic one at least). I also felt so helpless at times. How do I scream and cry for people that can’t hear me? I will revisit this movie as I age. I feel very comfortable stating that watching this movie can’t be a waste of time. I do have to mention that you have to be careful in not allowing frustration or judgment take away openly following the story. Yeah, they’re annoying but they have a self awareness that’s gladly refreshing.

What do I think about this movie? I think that it’s neither unnecessary nor dated. It includes part of a story that’s been told many times before: a black perspective of America’s racist past. And frankly, we shouldn’t feel tired of hearing these stories especially when they’re told in beautiful and nuanced ways. These stories will always be valuable. I didn’t expect Antebellum to touch on slavery because I didn’t have any idea what it was about before I watched it. I was so uncomfortable for the first couple of minutes. I was so uncomfortable witnessing a reenactment (yes, I intentionally chose this word) of torture my ancestors went through. I don’t regret finishing and being astonished by Antebellum. The past is never irrelevant nor unnecessary. And, this movie shows in a very interesting psychological twist, that the past is always haunting the present… more so for the people who wore physical chains decades ago that are still strangled by violent ideologies about race. P. S. To people that are still iffy because of review scores, this is one of those great movies that have polarized opinions. I think this is okay because there’s at least a conversation going on.