Powerful and frightening

Rating: 8/10 (3 May 1999)

For every thirty worthless, big-budget, shoot-em-up action movies whose only purpose is to make a profit, there is a film such as this one.
"American History X" is one of the most effective, yet frightening, films I have ever seen. I say frightening because it shows how impressionable young people are, and how easily they are led by someone who asserts him or herself. The need to feel important and the need for fraternity is prevalent, showing that people are willing to do things they wouldn't normally do, just to be accepted. Edward Furlong's character is so enamored by his older brother that he tries to emulate his entire lifestyle. Even Ed Norton's character, Derrick, who seems to be in control, has been influenced by his prejudicial father. It takes a stint in prison, and a friendship with a black prisoner that changes his life, for him to realize that spending all of one's time hating is wrong.
This is not a movie about neo-Nazi's, although the trailers for this film made it look as if it were. Rather it is about choices and focuses on the lives of people involved with a hate-group to get it's message across; it shows the scary but real consequences of living such a life.
I only gave this movie an 8, however, because I had some issues with the film-making that detracted from it. The story and theme, as I have just commented on, were practically flawless, but Edward Furlong is not an actor I like to see in such an important role, and the ending was predictable. There was an abundance of flashbacks and I think more time should have been spent in the present. These are minor complaints that are easily overlooked, but they are part of the film so I have to factor them in.
I find it unfortunate that it was only released in 1200 or so theaters because of its controversial subject matter, because THIS is the type of film that should have been released "in theaters everywhere".