Falls short of its promise

Rating: Null/10 (16 March 2008)

300,000 Ugandans dead and we have to see the story unfold through the eyes of a Scottish jerk? Unfortunately, my intense dislike for that character only put me at arm's length from the story and made me care not one bit when he is strung up by his nipples at the end. In fact, I was sorry that so many Africans had to die, but this selfish idiot gets away. I understand that was partially the point of the film - it's bluntly stated at the end for those of us who might have missed it the same statements of intent earlier  but it didn't service the suspense very well, especially since if you know anything about history, you already know how it will end  and also because it's no great insight any longer that white people in Africa are condescending, horrible elitists who have little respect for the people of the continent. There has to be some more insight than a few toss off lines and some oblivious guy looking for adventure. I also would have appreciated walking out of it with more insight to Amin - unfortunately, the story unfolds through the eyes of someone who is naive and selfish, so he doesn't actually notice the horror for most of the film and when he finally does, it's in the form of a very confusing stylized scene that doesn't really serve much more of a purpose than to shock you with brutality. Yes, we GET Amin is brutal, but I also know there's more to the whole damn thing. This could have been a fascinating political and psychological study  especially given Whitaker's fantastic performance  but instead I found it diversionary but very shallow.