Good Not Great

Rating: 8/10 (8 December 2006)

I liked it ... I liked it a lot. Leo has grown up. The scenes between the native Africans work extremely well. The relationship between Leo and Jennifer doesn't jump off the screen but it works. The movie is exciting, emotional, and provocative. The problem I have with the film is one of logic. There are a few times I just didn't believe the characters would be doing what the script was calling for them to do. If those moments had been removed ... or if Zwick had shown those moments from the POV of the characters so we could understand WHY they were doing what they were doing, it would be a better film. I gave it an 8 ... but really it's a 7.5.
The other thing is that this film is ABOUT something. It's about an important political issue that has often been overlooked. That is what is IMPORTANT about this film. The subject matter. I hope that this film will create an awareness about the horrible plight in Africa and the Western exploitation of their resources and their people.