Abe Lincoln himself would probably be pleased

Rating: 8/10 (14 December 2012)

My AP US History Class and AP Language class actually went to see this movie today as a "field study." heh, heh, great use of class time.
Honestly, since Lincoln was based on Lincoln's real life, the movie's events were already spoiled for me from my History class. That still didn't stop me from enjoying the movie.
In Lincoln, nearly everything is extraordinary. Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner made a great story (with a couple rough edges). They described Lincoln not just as the great speaker we learned in history, but also described his personal life during the first year of his second term as well. Daniel-Day Lewis' performance was spellbinding and realistic; he actually seemed like Lincoln: a scared man, a political activist, and a powerful speaker. Not only was Lewis great, but all the other actors were wonderful too. Sets and clothes are made to accurately represent the 19th century. People talked in a modern way (not with the Northern dialect and Southern drawl), but that was unavoidable. Humor is placed throughout the movie to both make the viewers laugh and alleviate the wartime Union from the uneasiness of the war. There are clever scenes too. (Spoiler ahead!) In the end of the movie, a top hatted man is in a theater watching a play, 4 days after the war ends. A man walks up (sounds familiar?), and tension builds, but it is actually the theater Lincoln's son is in, not Lincoln! Speeches and overexcited Congressmen debating over the 13th amendment abolishing slavery add to the movie's realism and tension too, culminating in a miraculous movie.
Of course, there are some rough edges (which is why I only gave it 8 out of 10). Some film shots are hashed and transitions unclear. The ending was sped up; Sherman's march to sea only lasted about a few seconds, and the war was over in about 2 minutes. Lincoln's assassination was also quick and unseen, but since this movie is about Lincoln's life, it makes sense that the events Lincoln did not experience were not covered in great detail- the movie was not just about the civil war.
During the movie, some of classmates actually cried and gripped their seats. There was no reason why they shouldn't. This may be a biography of Lincoln and filled with political facts and oddities from the 19th century, but realistic characters and brilliant political struggles fill the movie with tension and emotion. Ordinary political events build up to be just as thrilling and engaging as an action packed war scene. The insight into Lincoln's life was deep, understandable, accurate, and emotional, transforming a tedious biography into an engaging piece of art. Honestly, Lincoln is one of my favorite movies from this year. The movie may be long, reaching about 2 and a half hours, but it certainly was worth the time.