Slumdog Millionaire is one of the Most Incredible Movies I Have Seen in Years

Rating: 10/10 (17 February 2009)

Slumdog Millionaire is compelling, incredible and wonderful. The awards and recognition that it is receiving is definitely deserving and i cant wait to see it swoop up more.
Eighteen year old Jamal Malik is having an amazing answering streak on the Indian version of the television game show, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire". He's only one correct question away from the big prize. However, some, including those associated with the game show, question how someone like Jamal, a self confessed non-genius who grew up in the slums of Mumbai, can be doing so well on the show when others who are brighter, more educated and wealthier than him have failed. Is Jamal cheating? Is it purely luck that they have asked him the questions to which he knows the answers? Seeing Jamal's life journey to this point ultimately answers these questions. His life journey includes being orphaned at an early age; growing up with an older brother, Salim, who was both his guardian/protector and antagonist; and having a relationship since childhood with another orphaned child, a girl named Latika. His motivation for being on the show also may provide some answers to his success. Perhaps it was all just meant to be.
Anyone who remembers when "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" first came on here, everyone was fixated on it. It was one of the most popular shows on TV. I think everyone was on the edge of their seats when John Carpenter became the first millionaire. Slumdog Millionaire brings back those feelings. As it shows the country watching Jamal play the game it brings back the memories of sitting and watching someone win in the show.
The actors are all pretty well unknown. However, Slumdog Millionaire will make them known. They were all so good and so compelling and complex and engaging it was just mesmerizing. The two leads were perfect though Jamal and Latika were played so brilliantly that it was just amazing. The romance feels real and you feel for the two characters. If the romance in a movie doesn't feel real then the whole movie just falls apart luckily in this movie that wasn't the case.
Danny Boyle's directing was great. He made great shots and thats really the most important thing. He chose the right actors directed them in good performances and just did everything so perfectly. The last sequence of the movie is so perfect and it fills you up with such joy and it really touches your heart it is really quite amazing. His very last shot in the film is one of my favourite shots of the movie it is just so well done and so gorgeous, it's hard to put into words.
The music was great and it fit so well. I think right now it's my choice for best score at the Oscars. It's beautiful and fitting and makes the movie very enjoyable.
But really what makes the movie work is the relationship between Jamal and Latika. You see throughout the years Jaml continually rescuing her but only having her getting snatched away again. His ultimate desire to rescue and be with her is ultimately what makes the story so engaging. It almost plays like "Rocky" where in the end it doesn't really matter if he answers the last question right or not as long as he gets the girl. It is what moves the movie from a good movie to an incredible movie.
In the end Slumdog Millionaire is just one fantastic movie. It's one of the most incredible movies i have seen in years. Im sure it's going to win Best Picture at the Oscars and rightfully so. If it is playing in your town then you should definitely not miss it and go see it. This is one compelling and amazing movie. Slumdog Millionaire rates at a 5/5