Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History

Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History is a 2019 Netflix special that co-stars Steve Agee, Derek Basco, and Brad Berryhill, among other talented actors. This is no ordinary film; it takes the form of an educational comedy special that aims to inform and entertain in an equally delicious mix. In Kevin's signature style, he achieves this with a flair of copious humor and a touch of heartfelt sincerity, making it both educational and engaging.

The film's premise stems from Kevin Hart's on-screen character addressing the glaring gaps and neglect in historic recognition, with the focal point being the acknowledgment of African American individuals who have made monumental contributions to various fields. Through this approach, the film casts a spotlight on unsung heroes, hidden figures, and lesser-known black history figures whose contributions have been undervalued or overlooked in mainstream history education.

At the start of the film, Hart's fictional daughter is seen feeling somewhat unsatisfied with the portrayal of African American history as it often narrows down to slavery and Civil Rights movement. It’s an enjoyable set-up for Hart to embark on a journey of learning and exploring these overlooked parts of black history.

The film takes an immersive approach to storytelling through reenactments, vivid imagery, and compelling narratives as it underscores a wide array of significant events and milestones. With his unique and comedic style, Hart narrates the stories of African Americans who have made significant yet frequently unacknowledged contributions. These include figures from different spheres such as science, technology, arts, military, sports, and more. Ultimately, Hart's mission is to challenge the limited narrative often focused solely on the hardships faced by African Americans and extend the focus to their accomplishments and contributions as well.

Among familiar faces, Steve Agee, Derek Basco, and Brad Berryhill play critical roles as historical characters in an array of re-enactments. The performances, directed by Tom Stern, are serious but carry a tone of levity to keep the audience engaged, a testament to the script by Brian Volk-Weiss and Evan Waite. The depth and diversity of these unsung heroes are truly brought to life through these dynamic performances and narratives.

Kevin Hart deserves credit for the creative and engaging approach he has taken to tackle a crucial issue – spotlighting lesser-known African American accomplishments and contributions, and underscoring their impact on the nation's history. Alongside the laugh-out-loud moments are profound, sobering realizations about the fate of black history in mainstream education – a topic seldom explored in a comedic context.

Furthermore, the film does a commendable job of capturing the interest of younger viewers through its mix of humor and historical lessons, making it a useful resource for parents and educators who wish to engage children in learning about black history in a non-traditional, less textbook-reliant way. For adult viewers, the film’s fresh perspective on various accomplishments by African American figures can provide a much greater depth of understanding, challenging the traditional narrative of black history they might have learned in school.

In essence, Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History is not just an intriguing comedy film; it is an educational vehicle that manages to inspire as much as it informs. Its innovative use of comedy to bring the often sidelined black history to the forefront makes it an unconventional history lesson that everyone can benefit from. By highlighting the accomplishments of lesser-known African American figures, the film contributes to rewriting the skewed narrative of black history, making it an empowering watch.