Higher Learning
Subjects:
Good premise, lousy execution
Welcome to Columbus University. Where students are divided among racial lines. Where security regularly harasses black students. Where neo-nazis and the black panthers go to recruit new members. Where interracial and homosexual couples have to fear being attacked. Where campus shootings are bound to happen.
A movie about reace relations in college was a great idea and there are good performances from the leads in the film. The movie made some great points about students needing to appreciate the opportunities college brings them and taking responsibility for their own lives. However it also puts the characters at such extremes that it makes a totally unrealistic portrayal of college life. If this is what the writer went through in college than the university should be ashamed.
One Of Singleton's Best
When released back in 1995 Higher Learning painted a potrait of how colleage really is. As someone who is from the east coast and goes to colleage in the south I'm could easily relateo everything that Malik experienced. You watch this film, and think, oh, college was never like this when I was in it. True, however, John Singlton likes to make films that many other directors can not make, thus because their imagination of things needs to focus on the basics in life. What excaly does that mean? Well, the story is based on one very hard and evil thing:racism. It's in the world, and some people go around there lives, the word racist doesn't even cross their mind. Singlton just makes films that are gut wrenching, and he so does not fail with Higher Learning. There are three main characters: Malik, Remy, and Kristen. Malik, is played by Omar Epps, (love and basketball), he's on the school's running team, and if he doesn't start paying, he can say bye, bye, bye, to the team. Remy, is a shy person, he tries to make good grades, like a normal person. About halfway through the film, he falls in with a bunch of skin-heads, and they decide to get even with the school. Kristen, is played by Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and she ends up raped about 20-30 minutes into the film. Her roomate, whom is black, finds out, and they turn to her friends, including Ice Cube, and they of course, find the guy, and try to beat the living crap out of him, only to be stopped by police on the campus. The whole film is not based on black verses white, it takes a look into people, their fears, hopes, and dreams. Kristen goes to a support group, run by a girl named Taryn (Jennifer Connelly), whom finds herself, uh, attracted to Kristen. The story finally ends in a bang litterally above all great film great story great ending nine out of ten stars one of Singltons best do not miss the terrific film
Excellent movie
I saw this movie when it came out. Now that it is over a decade later I still think it is an excellent movie.
movie reflecting society
this movie covers alot of topics which are addressed in college orientation classes. Its a snap shot of what students may or may not encounter in college. I believe this is one of Singleon's better movies.
My 2nd Favorite Movie
I'm surprised I hadn't reviewed this movie long ago, especially considering this has been my favorite movie for almost a decade. John Singleton expertly weaves a tale of characters of various races in a tragic situation. You have the white frat guys, the black hip hop headz, the black intellectuals, the nerdish crew, the hippies, the slackers, and the professionals all on one campus. Although various races are intermingled within this movie, the concentration of this film is on black and white, specifically racism that a black man may face on a predominantly white college campus. Being that I dealt with the same thing at the first college I went to, most of these scenes were all too familiar for me, minus the KKK scenes (which I could never prove). I appreciate Singleton for presenting movies from a black man's perspective in an educational environment, especially considering it's so rare, and telling of the struggles that Malik (Omar Epp's character) goes through. From beginning to end, I loved this movie. My favorite scene was when Ice Cube found the Nazis upstairs by the pop machines. I also appreciate Ice Cube's lectures explaining that just because you won the fight does not mean you won the full battle. Right on.
