See You Yesterday

Filmology Rating: 3 out of 4

See You Yesterday a new Netflix film from producer and hardcore believer that African Americans have never been in movies before, Spike Lee.

It is helmed by Stefon Bristol in his directorial debut. He states that two of his favorite films are 'Do The Right Thing' and 'Back to the Future' and that's really what this film is; a melange of those two movies.

The rough plotting surrounds two young friends, Claudette and Sebastian, who are very witty scientists. They manage to crack the mystery of time travel in their grandparent's garage. However, they live in a very 'Do The Right Thing'-esc part of town where police are portrayed to be actively pursuing people of color. Tragedy strikes the town so Claudette and Sebastian must use their time traveling abilities to stop such event from ever occurring.

I am someone who cannot relate to this film from a personal and emotional perspective, so it was difficult to become attached to these characters. However, that does not mean it cannot be evaluated from such standpoint. So, indeed, it is a good film.

Often in films that approach this type of issue, it is taken very seriously and played straight because the subject matter is very serious. So, it was unique to see a film take a concept like 'Back to the Future' and put a social commentary twist to it. In a way, it's telling the same type of story, but in a different way. And the film does cross that bridging rather well by even casting Michael J. Fox as a teacher at their High School who even says "Great Scott." One aspect that did feel out of place was the ending. It concluded many emotional beats in a satisfying way, but also left the door open by not completely crossing the plot's finish line. It was reminiscent of 'Alita: Battle Angel.' However, even as someone who cannot relate to this subject matter, I can still evaluate it and say that it's a solid film with good writing helmed by Stefon Bristol.

Rating: See It

-Nolan