Engrossing effort from Spike Lee

Rating: 8/10 (19 March 1999)

Although this is clearly not Spike Lee's best film which is without doubt the brilliant "Do The Right Thing", Malcolm X is an engrossing film which manages to captivate you for three hours. The film's first hour is disappointing, especially the stereotypical zoot suit scenes, but is necessary to set the scene for what is to come. Following Malcolm's autobiographical text the film deals with the turbulent career of this often controversial leader. On a parallel with the film Denzel Washington in the lead role improves as it goes on, pulling off Malcolm's mannerisms very effectively. Even if you don't agree with some of the politics that the film presents this film really is captivating and shows Lee at his best. It also gives people that don't know the Malcolm X story access to his life and beliefs.