Review of Battle in Seattle (2007) by Asif K — 01 Jun 2011

Actor-turned-filmmaker Stuart Townsend makes his screenwriting and directorial debut with this ensemble film set during the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle and presenting the riots that swept through the streets during the five-day conference from the perspectives of police, protestors, and city officials. A typically laid-back Northwestern city, Seattle would erupt into violence when, for five days in 1999, tens of thousands of protestors flooded the streets to voice their disapproval of the high-profile World Trade Organization conference. Among that sea of protestors are Django (AndrÃ? (C) Benjamin), Sam (Jennifer Carpenter), Jay (Martin Henderson), and Lou (Michelle Rodriguez) -- each convinced that the stakes go beyond politics and equally determined to make a difference by ensuring that their voice of dissent is heard by the masses. At first the demonstration is peaceful, but in an instant the streets explode and the WTO is paralyzed. As a full-scale riot commences and a state of emergency is declared, the residents of Seattle are caught in the crossfire between protestors and police. With beleaguered mayor Jim Tobin (Ray Liotta) scrambling to diffuse tensions and riot cop Dale Anderson (Woody Harrelson) racing to protect his pregnant wife, Ella (Charlize Theron), everyone involved is forced to make difficult decisions that are sure to change their lives forever.

Wow so this is a documentary but movie like. I hardly new about all this stuff nut actually after watching it I think the messages were very muddled but as a audience I think we get or feel somewhat of it. I liked this movie from the middle of it towards the end. I will not actually call it a superb movie, it really needed some improvisation and there were some problems with the movie but I liked towards the end it becomes pretty intense. it was very dramatic and fascinating movie. the scenes were they are protesting and police torture them are one to look out for, I was really jolted and shocked by them. I couldn't see them it was really hard to watch it.

Stuart Townsend the director of this movie could have done a better job. screenplay wasn't that strong. editing could have been much tighter. starring Charlize Theron, Andrà (C) Benjamin, Martin Henderson, Woody Harrelson, Ray Liotta , Jennifer Carpenter , Michelle Rodriguez , Channing Tatum , Joshua Jackson , Connie Nielsen , Isaach De Bankolà (C) , Rade Serbedzija , Tzi Ma , Ivana Milicevic. I must say Charlize as usual was very good, she is superb. other actors did a nice job. overall it is kind of realistic portrayal of what happened and what we need to look for but with problems this movie may not affect you after one or two days, its a one time watch and pretty forgettable. its up to you guys to decide whether to watch it or not.