Reagan
03-02-2003, 01:00 AM
This is my favorite movie so far this year. The best word I can think of to sum up the overall "experience" of this movie is SATISFYING. I felt like it was a great film and I am glad to give it 8/10. Some people have said that this is a cheap knock off of Training Day. WRONG!!!!!!!!!! This is the superior corrupt cop movie as far as the two are concerned. Washington's performance was slightly better, but in every other way, this film was better.
First and foremost, it actually means something. It has a point, a purpose. Unlike most movies with a purpose, it doesn't feel the need to manipulate you in to siding with them. (See David Gale) It isn't just a comment on the L.A. riots, it simply uses that event, quite effectively I might add, to drive home its point. If I had one small complaint it would be that Ving Rames was underused, and his story was left for long periods of time. This movie has something to say about race in our country and it says it well, without being preachy. It says it by creating a voice for all of that "harmless" racism that exists in organizations throughout our country. I think this is one of the best movies on race in a long time, becuase it doesn't take the preachy, self-righteous, left-wing approach. It doesn't resort to cliches or sterotypes. (See David Gale again) Russel's character is not first and foremost a racist, he hates criminals and his racism is simply an appendage to that, but it shows how that kind of subtle racism can affect the way our country works. Especially when it is in an institutution like the police department. This is a very good movie and should be seen by anyone who is thinking of making a "message" movie, because these guys get it right.
First and foremost, it actually means something. It has a point, a purpose. Unlike most movies with a purpose, it doesn't feel the need to manipulate you in to siding with them. (See David Gale) It isn't just a comment on the L.A. riots, it simply uses that event, quite effectively I might add, to drive home its point. If I had one small complaint it would be that Ving Rames was underused, and his story was left for long periods of time. This movie has something to say about race in our country and it says it well, without being preachy. It says it by creating a voice for all of that "harmless" racism that exists in organizations throughout our country. I think this is one of the best movies on race in a long time, becuase it doesn't take the preachy, self-righteous, left-wing approach. It doesn't resort to cliches or sterotypes. (See David Gale again) Russel's character is not first and foremost a racist, he hates criminals and his racism is simply an appendage to that, but it shows how that kind of subtle racism can affect the way our country works. Especially when it is in an institutution like the police department. This is a very good movie and should be seen by anyone who is thinking of making a "message" movie, because these guys get it right.