Get On Up (2014) Review

 

Get On Up (2014)

In the wake of the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman, I wanted to watch something of his I’ve been wanting to see, but haven’t yet seen.

Get On Up is the true life, fourth-wall breaking biopic of legendary funk singer, Godfather of Soul, James Brown.

It’s always a treat when you get a film that celebrates black culture and music, and in this case, it’s amplified by having James Brown at it’s center, telling a beautiful story, sometimes literally from his own mouth to the viewers. It works so well, interconnecting flashbacks, to him trying to make it in the music world, to the his later years, using each to show how he has been influenced, changed, and grown since his troubled early years.

One of the most important things in a musical biopic is the ability of the actor or actors to not only look the part, but embody the characters. And that is precisely what Chadwick Boseman does here, strikingly looking like the late singer, nailing his smooth talking, raspy voice, and understanding the character like the back of his hand, playing him to genuine perfection.

While the film has some big names like Dan Akroyd, Craig Robinson, and Olivia Spencer, they play minor roles that are simplified in order to more redirect the focus toward Boseman.
On top of having a fantastic story that showcases not only the ups and downs, and dark spots in between, it utilizes James Brown’s music wonderfully and accurately, showcasing his talent and his ability to bring people of all races together, even in the climate of the Civil Rights movement.

Get On Up was a testament to just how good of a character actor Chadwick Boseman was, bringing life into the daunting role of James Brown who was almost larger than life, in a role that isn’t talked about enough when mentioning the great musical biopics thats we have been given lately.

RIP Chadwick Boseman

8.1/10