Malcolm X (1992)

When you decide to watch a “biopic”, the portrayal of a certain person can really influence how you feel about that person, even though it’s only an actor’s representation. A crazy example could be watching ‘Bruce Almighty’ and thinking that God is a lot like Morgan Freeman’s almost tongue in cheek portrayal. But when Spike Lee decided to make a movie about Malcolm X, an iconic symbol, he must have realised he needed to make it as realistic and true to life as possible. Malcolm X (Played by audience pleaser Denzel Washington) is shown as he makes the step from a street-wise, crime-committing hustler into the epic campaigner for freedom and justice and how he wanted equality to be shown towards the black population of America. Important events and speeches are shown in this film and it provides so much on his background that you almost forget the reason why you’re watching the film in the first place! It’s all very well having all the facts and information but is it entertaining? In my opinion, yes. I feel that his life is so fascinating and the film has such a good balance of information and storyline that there’s no regrets at the end of the three hours you spend watching this. And despite this movie’s age it can still have a massive impact on today’s generation. As an African-British citizen I feel conscious about black rights and despite Malcolm’s ideology of gaining rights “By any means necessary”, the film really inspires me to want to make a difference, something a movie should do. No one could ever sum up the movie in one review and I highly recommend that whether you want to be entertained or are more concerned about the historical elements, you should watch this!