Deserves 10 Stars, But Not #1

Rating: 10/10 (9 March 2013)

Before I begin, I just would like to say that this review is not for someone who has seen the movie, and wants support on their opinion, this is for people who have not seen The Shawshank Redemption and want to know what a fellow movie-watcher thought of the movie.
Do not get me wrong, Shawshank is a fantastic movie. For a movie that is all dialogue and no action, it really delivers. And when I say "all dialogue and no action" what I mean to say is, there are no car explosions, car chases, heists or anything you would see in a blockbuster. I'll keep this part as obscure to avoid spoilers but the most action filled part would be when a man is shot in the chest. Or perhaps when there is a police beating. But that's not where the cinematic gold of Shawshank lies. The cinematic gold lies in the character development and the message of hope that it holds within.
The Shawshank Redemption shows us that hope can be your best friend and guide you through your tough times. As you can see I rated The Shawshank Redemption 10 out of 10 stars, but I do not believe that is should be #1 on IMDb's Top 250. I believe it should be at least in the Top 20, but not #1. I believe that The Godfather should be #1 but that's a different topic for a different time.
My recommendation is to buy this movie. If you rent or borrow it, you'll be disappointed when you have to return. The Shawshank Redemption is a movie you'll want to watch again the minute it is over. I can almost guarantee you will feel inspired when you have finished the movie. I would not call Shawshank a "triumph of the human spirit" movie, but it really portrays a hopeful message.
In regards to appropriate viewing audiences, I am a bit torn. While this is an inspiring movie, there are a lot of elements that could be considered too taboo for children. But look over IMDb's Parent's Guide for this movie and make the call for yourself.