I’m starting to like this Spike Lee guy.
After reviewing Do the Right Thing this past year, I really started respecting his ability to create characters and give that have real depth. When Malcolm X arrived, and I viewed it, I was even more impressed with Lee’s ability to take a real life character and put details in that made him look very human. One of the remarkable aspects about Malcolm X (the film) is that it fills in gaps that the government, media and other aggressive organizations didn’t want you to know about the man.
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How it was explained to me in high school in my African-American Studies course was that this man was the complete opposite of Martin Luther King. It painted a very dark, sinister light on Malcolm X that was reverberated by our own government, and pretty much mainstream media. I was taught that the man hated white people, hated the thought of peace between races, and was unmovable on such things. Well, this movie does show that side of Malcolm X, but it also shows the side where he changed his mind.
Credit Spike Lee for taking Alex Haley’s book and translating it beautifully to screen. Credit Spike Lee for doing enough research and putting an honest picture of the man onscreen so that people can say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that about him.’ In 1992, my eyes were closed to the idea that Malcolm X represented anything less than hate. Thanks to this film, in 2012 I’m wiping away the fog and seeing clearly how this poor guy was used, manipulated, disposed of and sacrificed. This man led a great charge in the name of African-Americans across the country, and for freedom in general.
Of course, to make Malcolm X come to life and to represent his persona appropriately, finding the right actor to lead the charge was important. Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Malcolm X was brilliant. It was better than Al Pacino’s role in Scent of Woman. He was robbed at the Oscars, and I can only assume it was because of the controversial character he played. Washington brought the passion, the power and the prestige to Malcolm X. Without him, I’m not sure this movie would have worked as well. It was amazing to see him morph into three different characters. A young Malcolm X, who was just looking for the next fix and f***. A rebuilt Malcolm X that represented a islamic idea. Finally, a beaten Malcolm X that was going to sacrifice himself to save his people and his family. Definitely Oscar winning in my opinion.
You get the entire picture of Malcolm X, his trials and tribulations included, that might bring new light to your old opinion. Simply a fantastic film from Spike Lee.
To make it even better, Warner Home Video has done a great job in cleaning up this 1992 film. The upgrade to HD is amazing. You get a little grain, but in return you have a lot of rich reds, yellows, blacks and whites. Warner Home Video did a great job with taking care of this transfer and they really made it something visually and audibly special. It comes in at 5.1 DTS-HD and a proper aspect ratio that fills up the entire widescreen.
Finally, as for features, you get a large variety of content. It spans from commentary to deleted scenes to the making of the film. Lots of stuff here that really adds to the value of the movie. You get more information about Malcolm X (the man) and just an experience that makes the release even better. There is also a nice 1972 documentary on Malcolm X that is included on DVD with the Blu-ray release. On top of all of this, you also get a very solid booklet from Warner Home Video that gives a bit more information about the production and the story. All around, one of the better releases in the booklet series from Warner Home Video.
Own it January 31st on Blu-ray from Warner Home Video.
