Review of Battle in Seattle (2007) by Padraig G — 09 Feb 2011

Though acting isn't great, still I, as a primary source of the Battle In Seattle find this movie to be factual and very very real.

The story behind this film is a true one. It is about the historic protest that took place in Seattle Washington on November 30, 1999. The protesters were protesting the WTO (World Trade Orginization) Ministerial Conference of 1999. What happened was a peaceful protest turned to the type of chaos you'd see in the middle of a battlefield. The anarchists showed up, started vandalizing and everything went to hell, cops were tear gassing, beating, and pepper spraying protesters at complete random which led to controversey concerning our freedom of speech.

This film brings many flashbacks. The whole story is so real and vivid, not to the average viewer but to a person who was actually in the mess this movie describes. Much of what is in this film is real, archived footage, which can be appreciated only by those who experienced the Battle In Seattle.

However, like many other films, this one has many flaws that aren't all that difficult to point out. The staging could have been better than it was, same with the cinematography, but the big problem to me was the cast and the acting. The problem with the cast is it has a bunch of never-heard-of actors with the one well-known actor, in this case, Woody Harrelson, who just doesn't fit in. Woody Harrelson at his most average performance towers over the rest of the cast leading towards a uneven, one-sided acting performance.

Overall this movie was alright. While the acting, casting, cinematography, and staging were off, the reality of this movie makes up for it. This movie sends a very good message to all of us. This movie points out that we as American citizens have the right to peaceful protest and that it is not the police department's right to decide what we can and can't say.

Overall 60%, good job with a good message, protect our rights.