Review of Malcolm X (1992) by Adam K — 08 Mar 2008

This film had such an impact on me that I am now reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X (as recommended by Spike Lee at the end credits). There's just something about this bio-pic that really helps you analyse the world from a different perspective and realise just how much we need to do to make it better for everyone then, now and in the future.

The film divides into 3 key sections: the early life of Malcolm Little; then the rebirth of Little into Malcolm X joining the Black Muslims and converting to Islam; and finally, after all the 'anger' he becomes El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and goes through a spiritual journey that teaches him black or white, if something as religion can unite people together from different backgrounds, maybe there is hope for everyone in the world.

Again, Spike Lee incorporates a wide range of music together for all generations from jazz, to swing, gospel, R&B, soul and hip-hop coupled together with his subgenres of sports and sex. Denzel Washington is so intune with the character of Malcolm X that he should have taken that Academy Award for Best Actor then instead of later in "Training Day" (2001, dir.

Antoine Fuqua) still a good movie. And Spike includes Nelson Mandela, Al Sharpton and Ossie Davis in roles that suit there own personas brilliantly. This film is not just for black audiences but for all those who want to make a change and see that the world is as human as it was thousands of years ago.