One for the ages

Rating: 9/10 (14 April 2012)

First I'll start off by saying that I'm only 20, which in itself should say something about my rating of the movie. I'm not some old guy reviewing based on nostalgia or anything like that.
They really don't make movies like this anymore. There are no twists, there are no turns, there are no explosions, and there are no special effects. What you get here is a smart, dialogue driven tale about 12 men burdened with the fate of a young Hispanic man. Something you don't see too often these days is a brilliantly written script. 98% of this movie takes place in one room, and thus relies on character interaction and dialogue and nothing more. It reminds us that there is more to life than whats on the surface, something we often forget.
It reminds me of a movie like Clerks. Obviously a completely different type of movie, but at its root is quite similar. Smart, subtle, and character-driven (and black & white which is kind of beside the point). Most everyone can identify with one of the jurors. The skeptic, the racist, the conformist, the indifferent. We all know people like this, and you'll likely find yourself identifying with one or more of the jurors.
So many around my age would immediately dismiss this film because of its simplicity and because its understated. I feel quite sorry for them. The film is quite compelling and you really get sucked into the life of a juror in a murder trial. Don't dismiss this film because of its lack of color or anything superficial. Easily one of the greatest films I've ever seen, and there is a reason its rated so high. Do yourself a favor. See it. Then see it again.