3 thumbs up..... conditionally....

Rating: 10/10 (7 December 2014)

As a discrete piece of work, I thought the film didn't do a very good job at being biographical. If you didn't read the book or know too much about Malcolm X and how he accomplished the things he did and what he stood for, you would be pretty lost. BUT the film does an excellent job at reiterating the emotional impact of Malcolm's accomplishments and opinions in a powerful way.
Spike Lee brings the viewer through Malcolm's journey starting with his life as a hustler. Lee does not dive to deeply into the fine details of this part of Malcolm's life but gives a good overview of the delusional world Malcolm lived. Lee's use of vibrant color, constant jazz, and the recurring theme of death throughout this portion of the film followed by his pivotal time in jail provides the viewer with a better understanding of how important his time in jail was.
A few key scenes resonated with me:
The dramatically low-key lighting in the solitary confinement scene portrays Malcolm at his lowest point; his disillusionment.
The pan shot over the black inmates faces as they are being told of the atrocities committed by the white man in the prison courtyard.
The final scene: Malcolm's assassination. The combination of the sound of Betty Shabazz's wailing, the omniscient editing, and the compilation of clips of Malcolm (not Denzel), Nelson Mendela, and students shouting "I am Malcolm X!" following was an amazing moment in the film. The emotion of that scene overcame you whether you welcomed it or not.
Overall- great film. Watch it if you know a bit about Malcolm X. If you don't know anything about Malcolm X, get off your ignorant derriÃ¨re and learn something!