ONE SPOON OF CHOCOLATE -- Get Out (RZA's Version)

Review by Steve Barton II

RZA cemented his name in pop culture as the leader of the legendary hip-hop group, the Wu-Tang Clan. He’s also built up some experience in the director’s chair with films like The Man with the Iron Fists and Cut Throat City. With RZA being very forward about his passion for the old school Kung-fu and blaxploitation films, it comes at no surprise that his newest film One Spoon of Chocolate blends both those genres together. One Spoon of Chocolate follows Unique Johnson (Shameik Moore) as an ex-military convict who's just been released from jail and wants to go back to his hometown in Karensville, Ohio and restart his life. After some unfortunate interactions with a local racist gang, Unique and the other people of color in the neighborhood realize that they’re in more danger than they thought.

When it comes to One Spoon of Chocolate, RZA put his entire DNA into this movie and he couldn’t care less if you like it or not. Whether it’s old school hip-hop needle drops, hand-to-hand kung-fu style fights or the overly expressive characters that creep in caricature territory from blaxploitation films that fully round out RZA’s favorites. The plot attempts to make some social commentary about how racism in these small towns across America often runs deep into the whole community and makes life hell for minorities. It does seem to be influenced by Jordan Peele’s Get Out, but the overly explanatory and often silly dialogue keeps it from those heights. When the characters explain their exact motivations in their dialogue, it cuts down all of the interest in discovering more during the runtime.

The visual style of One Spoon of Chocolate is certainly shooting for the grindhouse look of the 1970s, similar to Tarantino and Rodriguez’s joint film from 2007. The artificial film grain and switches from bright colors to black and white gives the film a unique look that sets it apart from the pack. It even grabs a bit more of Tarantino’s look and style, even adding in Red Apple Cigarettes from his universe of films. The film was shot in Georgia, but the set design and prop department did fantastic in making it look like the Midwest. While the fighting would’ve been nice to see on a static camera, the whipping camera and cutting on every punch gave it a Bourne Identity look and will leave the audience with whiplash themselves.

The cast in One Spoon of Chocolate has several people who have worked with RZA in the past in both Cut Throat City and Wu-Tang: An American Saga. Shameik Moore isn’t fully believable as this hardened veteran with anger issues until he’s able to prove it during the fight scenes. RJ Cyler is solid as the comic relief and cousin to Unique, but the biggest surprise was Paris Jackson as Darla (Unique’s love interest). While her role doesn’t have a ton on the paper, she does well with what she’s given.

In the end, One Spoon of Sugar won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but those who get it will enjoy the honor being paid back to past genre greats. It’s purely a genre film that isn’t looking to impress anyone, especially with its gritty and grimy characters in the town of Karensville. If Walking Tall mixed with Shaft and Get Out sounds like an interesting Frankenstein of a movie, strike up a Red Apple Cigarette and check out One Spoon of Chocolate! 

One Spoon of Chocolate releases into theaters starting May 1st!

Rating: 3/5