I finally caught it yesterday at the Alamo and had the same problem, especially in the first act. I get verisimilitude, but there's something lost when stage trained Delroy Lindo doesn't get to use that amazing voice in a way that can be understood. Also, weird to see the kid from Starred Up all grown up (also another film begging for subtitles).
I love that WB let Coogler make ambitious choices and that he was willing to go there. Also, Michael B Jordan might be the closest approximation to late 90's-early 2000's Tom Cruise energy. I can see him playing Jerry Maguire, Ethan Hunt, Frank TJ Mackey,
Interesting reading the Variety review and the reviewer was shocked to be introduced to Wunmi Mosaku-I felt the same way after seeing her in Lovecraft Country in a more challenging role.
I doubt it ends up winning many Academy Awards but the score has to get nominated and is probably going to be the betting favorite. I also noticed that Coogler gave Ludwig Goransson an EP credit. I'm sure some of that is a flex on Coogler's part, but also maybe a statement on how intertwined THIS story was with the music.