An adventure of great political importance creating iconic characters for film

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2007)

Blood Diamond created quite a stir when it was released showing a different side of the diamond industry. It also created a stir with critics and they loved it and now is taking away five Academy Award Nominations which really surprised me. It wasn't that the film wasn't good but it just didn't strike me as anything more spectacular than a run of the mill main stream action film. Sure there was a political underlying message and two really terrific stand out performances by the lead actors but it wasn't overtly artistic or moralistic and had plenty of action, explosions and heroes. Blood Diamond tries to be more than what it is and it might have succeeded considering the critics love it but ultimately it should be taken as nothing more than a run of the mill action film and a good one at that.
Leonardo DiCaprio in his Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated role as Diamond thief Danny Archer. There is no doubt that DiCaprio creates another terrific film character in Archer. Archer is truly NOT a hero and yet you do root for him and hope for his redemption in what he does. He is a complex and intriguing character and the question of his redemption is open to interpretation as his final decision only comes from circumstance. Terrific actor Djimon Hounsou also in an Academy Award nominated performance as determined father and husband Solomon Vandy. Vandy is taken into slave labor to mine for diamonds and ends up finding a huge diamond that sends him into a turbulent adventure with Archer who agrees to help Vandy find his family. Vandy is far more the hero of the story and his dedication and love for his family makes him an intriguing opposite to DiCaprio's Archer character. The two of them are an odd teaming and yet they work so well together. Hounsou is perfect in the role. Jennifer Connelly plays reporter Maddy Bowen who becomes involved with Archer in trying to get a story. I have always thought Connelly was a bit of an over rated actor and this is really no exception. Connelly just doesn't seem up to par with DiCaprio or Hounsou and she doesn't fit in with the cast. The romance between her and DiCaprio is forced and unnecessary to the story.
The brilliant cinematography, and setting, all filmed on location throughout South Africa is worth the price of admission alone and then performance by the lead males and much of the supporting cast make Blood Diamond well worth seeing. The story is interesting but I think it's far from politically controversial. Plenty of action, and scenery to keep this a riveting well worth it film but a surprise if it takes home any awards. 8/10