A great action adventure flick with a strong message

Rating: 9/10 (31 December 2006)

After seeing the DEPARTED, I wanted to see if DeCaprio would continue his flawless acting. He was very good once again.
The movie started off with a heavy action sequence that resulted in axed off limbs of women, men and kids (quite disturbing). My eyes were already glued as this movie was already more brutal than any movie I've seen this year.
DeCaprio played a man in search of diamonds so he can go to America. He conflicts with Jennifer Connelly's character who's a journalist in search of the perfect story. Djimon Hounsou's son is kidnapped by diamond killing rebels and DiCaprio helps him get his son back by getting a large and very expensive diamond in return. Seems typical? It is not. Lots of action in this one and the best part is, there is no token sex scene.
DiCaprio is brilliant and did a pretty good job with the accent. Connelly was quite attractive and was very good but I thought Hounsou was the best in my opinion. This movie was much like TEARS OF THE SUN but much more thought out and much better written. I actually preferred this movie over THE DEPARTED but didn't think DiCaprio was nearly as good in BLOOD DIAMOND.
See this movie. Perhaps it has a liberal taste afterward but America is America and unfortunately nothing will change.