whoa!

Rating: 9/10 (12 January 2005)

As a comfortably middle classed, American living in suburbia, my initial reaction is whoa! This one packs a punch. At first, it is honestly difficult to care about a single character. But then it hits you, these are all children, kids. All the main characters doing the killing are kids. This draws you into the film and the thought that many (if not all) of these kids never really had a chance. Rocket is fortunate to become interested early on in the craft of photography and this interest paves the way for a better life for him. However, others who only know about survival and aren't privy to extracurricular interests like Rocket's have their fates sealed. Benny is the other character you begin to care about. He realizes too late there is more to life than being a hood. He spares a life that later takes his own. Such is the cycle of violence that infects the City of God.