A Rewatch can Change a lot

Rating: Null/10 (9 November 2013)

My quirks with this one may had been conceived from the inescapable praise 12 Years a Slave underwent from critics and audiences. While I liked it the first time I saw it, I had my problems with it, the two biggest ones being the editing and McQueen's direction. The editing still has its issues that should have been worked out, but I found McQueen's direction to be one of the most valuable assets to the film this time through. 12 Years a Slave has this three-dimensional feel to it and that's thanks to Steve McQueen. The brutality the film is now famous for is thanks to McQueen, too, he held nothing back. There is a lack of sentiment still present, but it doesn't feel like McQueen's fault solely, I can't pinpoint which component made the film lack it.
People who watch as many movies as Oscar Buzzers can become immune to film violence, but there were three of four moments where the film crosses my line of comfort. Sadly, my opinion has lessened even more of my already mixed reaction of Lupita Nyong'O. Half the problem is her character is begging for our sympathy, but the other half is Nyong'O lack of depth and creativity. Her "acting" felt less like acting and more like Steve McQueen releasing violence against women and blacks in one package, cueing our tears to swell.
Fassbender remains my choice for Best Supporting Actor this year for his commitment performance. Ejiofor's acting ability increased on this rewatch. He uses a self-aware, theatrical manner of reciting his lines that felt fake to me before and slightly did at first this time, but the emotional exterior does more to compensate and releases a chemical that makes the "theatrical" element work for him. 12 Years a Slave draws a menacing template of hell on Earthan interesting metaphor, considering Brad Pitt looks like Jesus with his long hair and is the character that puts the rewarding finale into motion.
Updated Rating: 7.9