Apr. 2010
The Boston Review’s critique of School Daze analyzes Spike Lee’s theme and style within his film. The review claims the film to be important because it “introduces the theme of Black identity and separatism”, a major theme in Spike Lee’s subsequent films. It claims School Daze to be a film about black self-hatred, as lighter-skinned and dark-skinned students rival over what the true black identity is. The Boston Review also says the film bored the white audience because Spike Lee “had no real interest in saying anything to them”. This review determined School Daze to be a success, despite its failure at the box offices, because it set Spike Lee’s theme and subjects for his next films
Conn, Charles Austin Screens: Review- School Daze. The Austin Chronicle, 8
June 2001. Web. 18 Apr. 2010
The Austin Chronicle goes as far as to say School Daze “blazed trails where even contemporary racial pictures fear to tread”. It praises Spike Lee for addressing how polarized racial attitudes can be destructive amidst an African American community. The Austin Chronicle continues on to note the sexist undertones in the movie, as one of the main characters, Half-Pint, attempts to lose his virginity throughout the entire film using cheap pick up lines that undermine women’s intelligence. The review summarizes the film as a conflict between “assimilationist White Wannabees” and “nationalist Jigaboos”. Overall, the Austin Chronicle provides a good review for School Daze, saying that Spike Lee was able to fit as much race and identity politics into the film without losing his focus on the film
itself.
Ebert, At the Movies. Disney ABC Domestic Television, 1988. Web. 18 Apr.
2010
At The Movies online data base’s review of the film claims it to be “one of the most honest and revealing movies…about modern black life in America”. He deems it important because of the depiction of different paths African Americans may choose to follow as well as the way these individuals see themselves internally. He notes that the film was consisted of a predominately black cast, keeping focus on intraracial issues and avoiding selling out to commercial appeal. He praises Spike Lee by saying the movie is right on target and never boring, however he also describes School Daze as being disorganized and “wildly ambitious”. The reviewer states that this film wasn’t made to appeal to everyone, rather to make a statement about the black identity. Overall, he claims that the plot and technicalities of School Daze fall short compared to the overall theme and message of the film.
Maslin, Janet. "School Daze (1988) Film: 'School Daze'." New York Times, 12 Feb. 1988: 2. Web. 18 Apr. 2010
Janet Maslin of The New York Times offers an in-depth look into Spike Lee’s film “School Daze.” Maslin begins her review with a comparison to one of Lee’s previous films, “She’s Gotta Have It,” commenting that the director has moved on from a funny sexual battleground to a bigger, bolder and messier plot. Although Maslin points out interesting and valuable aspects of the film, she does not seem to be a fan overall. She points out that “the film's mischievousness doesn't sting the way it should” and that the musical sequences featured often seem too long or simply unnecessary to the plot. Maslin goes on to say that although “School Daze” pinpoints the uneasiness of racism at its heart, the film would have worked “better if an overall mood emerged more clearly, but incisiveness comes and goes.” With this being said, The New York Times gave Spike Lee’s film “School Daze” a balanced, unbiased review calling the film a “scathing look at a ficticious white-financed, all-black college…”
Ebert, Roger. "School Daze." Chicago-Sun Times, 12 Feb. 1988: 3. Web. 18 Apr. 2010
Acclaimed movie critic Roger Ebert, reporting for the Chicago-Sun Times, compares Spike Lee’s film “School Daze” to Lee’s previous film “She’s Gotta Have It” expressing the fact that these works include black characters who are relating to each other rather than a hypothetical white audience – he calls this voyeuristic. With this being said, Ebert is quick to add that the film has “big structural problems and leaves a lot of loose ends;” however, “School Daze” never once lost his attention. The review plays close attention to the movies ability to confront social issues within the black community such as skin color, hair texture, the sometimes sexist treatment of black women by black men, as well as the purpose of an all-black university in an integrated society. Ebert comments that “in his mind, "School Daze,"…is one of the most honest and revealing movies [he has] ever seen about modern middle-class black life in America.”
Kempley, Rita. "'School Daze' : (R)." Washington Post 12 Feb. 1988: 2. Web. 18 Apr. 2010
Washington Post Staff Writer, Rita Kempley states that audiences and critics alike were expecting big things from director Spike Lee after the success of “She’s Gotta Have It,” but believes that “School Daze” does not live up to these expectations at all. She calls the film “an arrogant, humorless, sexist mess” with a patchwork plot. Kempley goes on to compare the film’s battle between the Greeks and Geeks to that of “Revenge of the Nerds” and it’s sudden musical numbers to that of “West Side Story.” In the midst of her critique of the film, Kempley does praise “School Daze” and Spike Lee for the honesty and nature of the characters in relation to “real human beings with believable concerns.” Overall, the staff writer explains that Lee is more infatuated with social consciousness rather than social climbing, but lacks the answer to the great conflict of whether one should assimilate or retain every aspect of their individuality when it comes to mainstream America.
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