City Of God 2002 Movie Review – Scribe Magazine

There are so many films that come out every week let alone every year, aren’t there? We can get so caught up in trying to keep up with the latest awards contenders, box office hits, and culturally relevant pieces that we just don’t have enough time to turn back the clock and check out films from the past. But it is so important to expand our horizons and experience the art that has set the stage for today’s cinema. You might need to find the time, so it is important to make wise choices with what you spend that time watching. Whether we head back 10 years, 50 years, or even 100 years, there is great cinema throughout the years. But let’s rewind the clock and here are some reasons why you should check out… City of God (2002)

The Energy

When taking on such challenging and hardened themes and topics, plenty of styles can keep the audience engaged and connected. That is exactly what Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund deliver to City of God. There is no denying the incredible style that these co-directors can inject into this film. The cinematography is imprinted with striking color palettes and visceral camera work. You will not find standard stagnant shots in this film. You will find high energy and aggressive filmmaking that makes this two-hour film feel like a short. The kinetic energy that takes the audience through this layered and complex web of crime is one of the biggest highlights of the film.

The Reality

There might be plenty of styles and flash in City of God, but the real driving force of the film is the stark reality that it portrays. The lofty name of this place is not a perfect match for the destruction and evil that seeps through every interaction. The portrayal of the crime and gangs that rule the streets is…unrelenting. There are plenty of scenes that highlight the horrors of this culture. One scene in a hotel is horrifying as it settles on a grinning mass murderer in the form of Li’l Dice. When he becomes older and takes up the mantle of Lil Ze, that is just the beginning. There is a scene with Lil Ze punishing some children who stole from a store. The results are shocking, and the aftermath is so shocking.

The Cast

Every piece of this cast delivers what they need for the audience to get the most out of this international classic.

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At the core of this story, we get characters performed perfectly well. The biggest standout is young Douglas Silva as Li’l Dice. Grinning is the most disturbing way as he is callously shooting people in a hotel or standing over his enemies as he ends their lives. But even Leandro Firmino who takes over the role of Li’l Ze brings that venom and unnerving joy in violence and hatred. But we need Alexandre Rodrigues at the core of this film to be our hero. He is the shining light through all the horrifying realities of this world.