American History X (Wide Screen) > Reviews > A Modern Day Masterpiece

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	One of the most powerful and thought - provoking films ever made .  Nice selection of deleted scenes .
Disadvantages:	Not enough in the extras department .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

There are some things which people don't like to talk about. Taboos that have become more commonplace due to political correctness. Racism is one such thing. We live in a world now where we believe everyone is a unique person and they should be treated equally. That's what the governement may want people to think, but the truth is far from this blissful idea of racial equality. American History X shows the underside of modern society.

IN THE NEXT SECTION I BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE OPENING PLOT SECTION. IF YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO KNOW ANY OF THE STORY, DON'T READ THE NECT PARAGRAPH.

The story focuses on one family and their struggle against racism and its damagaing effect on normal family life. After his father is shot dead by a gang of black drug dealers, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) becomes the leader of a local white supremacy group. He is a violent, racist but well educated man who, as with most families, has a very large effect on his brother, Danny (Edward Furlong). His violence culminates in murder and he is put in jail for 3 years. Now it's the day of Dereks release, and all of his family wait to see him. But life in prison has changed Derek.

This has to be one of the most hard-hitting films I have ever seen. The acting from both of the lead characters is superb and really makes for a believable story. The portrayal of racially motivated violence is brutal and unremorseful and the film shows the extents that some people will go to just for their belief in racial inequality. For example, one scene shows a white man picking up a bowl of jelly beans, removing the black ones and scoffing the rest. This film is about as powerful as they come.

The story itself is, like the acting, magnificent. Told through the eyes of Danny and explained through numerous memory "flashbacks", the story shows, in detail, the degeneration of Derek and Danny into racism.

The DVD version of the film comes with Deleted scenes, cast and crew biographies and the films trailer. This amounts to about 15 minutes of extras, which is better than some films but not that outstanding when you look at the new 2 Disc films that are coming out (e.g. Terminator 2). For the best part of the film, the picture quality is good, with only occasional grain. The sound is also good, with very little noticable backgroung hissing.

Overall, if you have not seen this film you really are missing out on a true classic. The DVD may not have all of the features you may want (A director/cast commentary would have been nice) but as it can be found on the internet for around £9, you really have no excuse not to buy it. A modern masterpiece that deserves more than just your attention.