Despite the controversy, it is well worth seeing if nothing else to learn about this forgotten incident and for Algee Smith's performance.
I understand the criticism that the film boarders on exploitation and that there should have been African American producers at least, preferably someone involved that night at the Algiers.
Or they could have promised to donate profits to a non-profit like the NAACP. This was the case with John Hersey, who wrote a book about what happened that…
Carrie Jr
The cast is amazing. Probably the most Oscar nominated cast even in a Stephen King movie.
The pyrotechnics are impressive for a pre-CGI era.
The script structure is a little clunky with overlong flashbacks & monologues. Plus the scenes in the lab seem pointless since we know already what the girl can do. Also, the showdown with the main villains should come at the end. Here, secondary extras you don't even know "get theirs" after the main showdown.
Overall, one of the better adaptations from the director of the underrated Commando.
I really liked the first 2/3s of the movie because the acting is solid. The last third felt disconnected from the prior installments. I just didn't buy the "relationship" between these two guys. It is very unrealistic and inauthentic. A movie about a young man who is gay in a difficult environment particularly the drug world should have been more powerful.
