Huge Disappointment - Sharad Patel's Exploitation Classic Far Superior

Rating: 5/10 (16 February 2007)

A film i had been anticipating keenly ever since i heard of it when it played at Toronto last September or so and drew rave reviews for Forrest Whittaker in particular in the role of Ugandan Dictator Idi Amin. I am afraid, Whittaker was almost bordering on embarrassing and his flapping his arms around and trying to pout like a gorilla were just buffoonery. He is nothing like Amin was, unrecognisable. The best portrayal of Amin has been by Joseph Olita in the exploitation classic Rise and Fall of Idi Amin - now there was a man so convincing as Amin that it was not actually difficult to believe that it was in fact the man himself. Forrest Whittakers take was a little akin to the Black and White Minstrel show - with grinning golliwogs behaving in a very stereotypical and offensive manner. For those of you unfamiliar with Amin and Uganda, this film will probably be the ticket but for those of you who are already familiar with Amin and his ways and a smattering of regional history, the film is very weak indeed. Yes i can find something positive to say........the songs used in the background to the most part are simply brilliant afro-funk..........question is, where is the soundtrack.