If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise is a riveting American documentary film directed by the prolific filmmaker, Spike Lee. This follows Lee's prior award-winning HBO documentary, "When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" on the devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. The film serves as a continuation of his 2006 documentary, revisiting the city and its residents a few years after the hurricane, adding an illuminating perspective on the city's history and current state. The movie goes beyond natural disasters, branching out into social and cultural issues that affect the city's inhabitants.

The documentary spans four hours, diving deep into the world of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath, and how New Orleans, its people, and even the U.S., have changed since then. The aftermath of the hurricane and the failure of the levees has left an indelible mark on the city's inhabitants, that Lee masterfully captures in this eloquently hopeful and heartbreaking documentary.

Lee brings his personal directorial style to bear in If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise, interviewing a wide array of people affected by the tragedy, whose lives are still affected by the events years later. It brings to life the hardships faced by the residents of this vibrant city and their resilient spirit in overcoming these challenges. The stories from survivors, who share the impact of this disaster on their lives, paint a vivid picture of struggles, hope, and resilience.

The documentary like its predecessor examines the systemic problems that contributed to the Hurricane Katrina disaster, delving into government neglect, socio-economic disparities, and racial inequalities. But importantly, it also chronicles the ongoing recovery efforts, the return of the city's cherished traditions and culture, and the resilience of the New Orleans community in face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Besides the narrative of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, the film also manages to touch on other urgent matters such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The spill incident happened during the shooting of the film, and Lee included it in the documentary, expanding the scope of his work to encompass natural and man-made disasters, and the intertwining of both.

Despite its run-time and the severity of its subject matter, If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise is expertly crafted to sustain the viewer's interest. It effectively interweaves the personal and larger social-political-economic narratives, showing the intersection of personal lives with larger forces beyond their control. Compelling shots, blending scenes of daily life with those of dramatic events, are balanced with interviews, archival footage and Lee's sober narration.

Another significant element of this documentary is the music. Jazz, which is the soul of New Orleans, plays a crucial role in the documentary. Its inclusion helps express the quintessential spirit of the city – its traditions, its challenges, and its undying hope for the future. The film's tune brings alive the glorious past of the city, its deep-running culture and music, and also its undying spirit.

In If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise, Spike Lee has manifested a powerful follow-up to his first documentary on New Orleans. He has created a poignant and visually impassioned narrative of resilience, recovery, and hope amidst disaster, and ongoing adversity. The film enriches our understanding of the complexities of recovery, the resilience of the human spirit, and the importance of community in navigating tragedy.

Overall, If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise is more than just a 'sequel' to When the Levees Broke. It’s a testimony of a city's resilience, the unbowed spirit of its people, and an unflinching examination of the ongoing social, economic, and racial disparities that the tragedies have brought to light. It is a powerful, compelling, eye-opening and inspiring documentary weaving a story of the resilience, will, and hope of the people of New Orleans as they confront their fears and rebuild their beloved city.