Zulu – Review

Cape Town, South Africa: police officer Ali Sokhela (Whitaker) has a flashback to a horrific sight while a child, before cutting to current day as he runs on a treadmill. During his morning shift, he meets up with his partner Dan Fletcher (Kemp) at the crime scene where a body of a young white girl was found, with little evidence other than a videotape rental club membership card. She has been brutally beaten to death.

Sokhela and Fletcher begin the investigation, while officer Brian Epkeen (Bloom) struggles to wake up after a long night. Epkeen’s life is in typical cop shambles as he deals with alcohol, anger, ex-wife and monetary issues. Eventually the men group up to solve the crime, following a multitude of clues down dark pathways.

Zulu is a well scripted murder mystery which is full of cultural details and well-defined characters. The complex setting of racial and political influences provides a setting and backdrop which is impossible to ignore. While murder procedurals are nothing new, this film explores plenty of criminal paths, underworld connections, illicit experimental programs, gang warfare and nefarious behaviors.

The film is competently shot and directed with many scenes infused with tension. The cops are typical cop characters, but they are fleshed out well enough. It gets quite violent at times and deals with some real bad guys, but if you can stand some reality with your police procedural, check out Zulu. There is a touch of action, drama and mystery, with good actors bringing it all home. It may not be an earth-shattering experience, but it is a good mix of things.