Lee's best film, and one of the greatest bio-pics ever

Rating: 10/10 (30 April 2006)

Spike Lee's films typically leave me cold. There are usually some very powerful scenes and a lot of important questions thrown around, but his films seldom add up to a satisfying whole. MALCOLM X is a big exception to this statement. Intelligent, though provoking, and (perhaps most shockingly) very entertaining, the film is structurally and dramatically cohesive as well. The film's pace is also perfect; never too rushed, nor too slow, even at the three-hour runtime.
Denzel Washington gives one of the most layered and complex performances in cinematic history. This is the film he should have won an Oscar for, and a darn shame he didn't. Angela Bassett also should have received some academy attention (she failed to snag a Best Supporting Actress Nod), for she is vibrant and moving in what could have been a relatively thankless part. A superbly crafted and important historical film, MALCOLM X is one of those movies that every American should see.