Ranked: Small Axe Films 

So the last few weeks the BBC have been showing the Small Axe films from the vision of director Steve McQueen and I have now watched all 5 of them and here is how I rank them from worst to the best in terms of quality.

5. Lovers Rock (2020) 

The first of the Small Axe films was the weakest for me and that was Lovers Rock. I know people really liked this film but it did very little for me, I just need a plot in a film and this one has none and that really hurt it. The performers do a fine job but again there wasn't much for me to get invested in and I don't really think I will ever remember this one. 

4. Alex Wheatle (2020) 

Next on the list is another film that did very little for me. The only thing reason this film is above Lovers Rock is the fact that there is some sort of plot here and that is pretty much the only reason. I just found the film pretty dull and just as it starts to get a bit interesting it ends and that is a big disappointment. 

3. Education (2020) 

The last film in The Small Axe Education is next on the list and it is a good film that did its job effectively. It show the issue of Racism for kids and the education system and does a good job with it and puts good performances with it. The film is way too short and would be higher on the list if it was longer as it could have fleshed out the story but overall a decent film. 

2. Red, White & Blue (2020) 

Next on the list is Red, White & Blue with John Boyega and this was also a good film with a strong performance by Boyega and a good story that shows the issues in society. It goes a bit further then the films below in showing racism and it is uncomfortable at times and it does that well. Again though it is too short for this film and there could have been more to see here that could have moved this film to higher levels. 

1. Mangrove (2020) 

Not only is Mangrove the best of the Small Axe films but it is also one of the best films of 2020. It focuses on these people as they look to defend themselves in court against a clearly racist hierarchy and it is superbly made and acted. Letitia Wright in particular is great and really gives such a strong performance as does the rest of the cast and it is the one film on this list that you must see. 

Overall

Overall, I feel like Small Axe has been a really interesting project with a mixture of results, Mangrove is an amazing film and worth watching while there are a couple of others that are good too. Credit to Steve McQueen for trying this and I actually hope more directors maybe think about trying this and we could see some interesting results.