Thought-provoking

Rating: Null/10 (24 July 2002)

I thought it was very good. One of the things that makes it particularly good is that it presents racism as a continuum, not an either-you-are-or-you-arent-a-racist thing. Derek's character is on different points on this continuum throughout the movie. When he says some things you can agree with and others you totally reject, it makes you look at yourself and say "Where do I lie on this continuum?"
Downsides: Derek's transformation not explored as much as his initial skinhead point of view; Elliot Gould (He *always* seems aware that he's acting); kinda gruesome and certain images may bother you for some time after viewing.
Upsides: performances are fantastic (especially Norton's); Edward Furlong is not nearly as annoying as he was in Terminator2; Avery Brooks is great.
Essay question: Can Derek's transformation last considering how the film ends, or does he revert?