One of the top 10 Films of all Time.

Rating: 10/10 (2 July 2003)

Make NO mistake:
It is HARD as heck to do a bio-picture, I don't care WHOM it is about.

To do it as a major release feature film is even harder but Spike Lee pulls this off and it is as great and as epic -- even moreso -- as any bio film out there.
It tells the story of Malcolm Little who becomes Malcom X, one of the most recognizable names of African American and American History of the 60's. What one learns about this man from watching this film is NOT what many perceive, which is why this film is excellent in it's telling.

The story, adapted from Alex Haley's book is a realistic and biting view. It shows a man -- a very strong but conflicted man and his changes, but a man none the less who believed in what he believed in to the dismay of many in a time, not to long ago in America, where the voices and ideas of minorities were stiffled.
The very important element of this film of course of the casting of Denzel Washington as Malcolm X. This is one of those rare instances where you forget about "nice Denzel, the actor" and he becomes that lead character. His Academy Award Nomination for this character was very well placed.
Another rare and haunting roll was that of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad played by Al Freeman Jr. on the same Academy Award calibre as Denzel's performance.
Spike Lee's direction (what a wonderful "eye" he has!), Ernest Dickerson's Cinematography, Production Design by Wynn Thomas, the Casting of Robbi Reed-Hume (who won the casting society's award for casting of Malcolm X and rightfully so!) and the acknowledgement of any and everyone to get this film COMPLETED is also what makes this an excellent achievement.
Whatever YOU think of Malcolm X is your right. But this film does not make ANY opinions, it just goes through and presents. It's not a pretty life, there are racially charged as well as religiously charged points in this film and as I've written before, it will surprise those who think they knew what Malcolm X was "all about" and "who" killed him. It will be HARD to do films like Malcolm X in this day and time, being his "being" was controversial, but I am glad this one was accomplished by the team that did it.
Beautifully made, painstakenly made, top notch performances by all actors and actresses, great production teams, great direction teams, excellent adaptation, excellent music...an excellent film.