An Eye Opener !

Rating: 8/10 (18 March 2015)

Gripping, touching, thrilling, awesome; just some of the words that come to mind when I think of Blood Diamond. It's just a terrific film and what I really liked was how much depth the characters where given, not just the protagonists but even the lesser characters such as the villain, RUF leader Captain Poison. This is something that director Edward Zwick has always been very good at and has demonstrated in earlier films such as Glory or The Last Samurai and I hope he begins directing such films again soon.
Other than that, the music was excellent (One of James Newton Howard's finest) and the pacing was effective in that you truly felt as if you were on a journey with these characters. The cinematography was outstanding, and despite being centered on a civil war, the film allows for some beautiful shots further emphasizing the natural beauty of the majestic African continent. Important issues were touched in the film such as the Wests exploitation of third world countries but it was done in a way that (at least in my opinion) was not too controversial in a time where films can be banned in countries, so I don't feel the film went too far. Also the film touched on the West's view of Africa, as brought up by Hounsou's character in the film, and I do share his view that Africa will one day be a "paradise." Though not a family film, Blood Diamond is a spectacular film and would recommend it to virtually anyone.