Rating: 
Summary: Good Movie, Terrific Soundtrack
Review: This DVD is another good example of the purpose of DTS. (Another good example is the DTS version of Apollo 13.) The sound effects and music in this film are wonderful.The movie itself is quite good. It makes you think. It helps give another perspective on a terrible historical injustice. The visuals are often quite stunning. I always remember the flag waving outside of a window in one of the courtroom scenes. That really stuck with me. I enjoyed this film, even though it left me feeling rather sad.
Rating: 
Summary: Black Mischief
Review: Yeah, that's right! We Hispanics are to blame for America's history of slavery! Oh yes, and the Portuguese too! Americans were only innocent victims of our perfidious lust for blood money. You see, we tempted them and they inadvertenly fell for it. After all, they were merely human, forchrissake! (we, on the other hand, weren't). That's why you see us portrayed in Mr. Spielberg film as sadistic murderers of women and children, lecturing Americans against their judicial system while pampering a most cruel infant queen (no wonder she was Queen of Spain!). The fact that Spain ended its slave trade back in 1650 -way before any other European nation did- is of no consequence whatsoever, since everyone knows we're a race of liars! And so are the Portuguese! Didn't you hear them speaking Spanish throughout the movie? Luckily, the Americans had British righteous blood within their veins, so they soon saw the foolishness of their mistake and mended it in no time by freeing all slaves. Oh yes, they did! John Quincy Adams did, in the year 1837, with a rousing speech in which he invoked the spirits of the Founding Fathers (none of them slaverers, mind you), while Heaven itself played angellical music in the background! Oh, mine eyes have seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord! So next time you are confronted with the horrific issue of slavery in America, and you start asking yourself one more time the always-guilt-ridden question "How could we?", don't worry anymore! According to Mr. Spielberg... You didn't! T'was us, see? (I mean, sí?)
Rating: 
Summary: Better -- and different -- than expected
Review: I avoided this movie for many, many months, because, while I view myself as a person of conscience and good-will, I am also tired -- so utterly, inexpressibly weary -- of having the matter of slavery continually hashed up in an accusatory way, as though I am to feel shame for something I had no hand in. I am especially burned out on exaggeration, inaccuracy, and one-sidedness. But this, I thought, was a fair-minded presentation, and I am glad to have seen it. It is worthwhile. If the reader is considering viewing or purchasing the video, he should know that, in my opinion, he will enjoy it more if he is forwarned about the occasionally heavy-handed sentimentality. The music is at times overblown and annoying -- especially during J. Q. Adams' closing speech, during which it is so pointedly, sometimes inappropriately stirring as to be downright distracting. The laugh-track mentality, in a way. And while one is delighted that events turn out as they do, you have to suspend a little disbelief in order to appreciate the movie fully; in reality, it is hard to buy the suggestion that this fairly straight-forward adjudication of the fact of national origin represented a great philosophical victory for those seeking to bring an end to the practice of slavery. It was, rather, a very gratifying personal victory for forty-some individuals, based on the peculiar circumstances of their case. There were also a few too many efforts to have the characters express growing respect and understanding of eachother -- the bonding moments-- in scenes that were a ponderously sentimental or portentous. Irritatingly, Cinque's every utterance is presented "with the eclat of a proverb".* But the young man acting the role is a fine talent. I hope we will see more of him. All of this aside, if for no other reason, I would recommend this movie for the sheer delight of watching Anthony Hopkins obviously enjoying himself in the role of John Quincy Adams. But there is much else to appreciate in this film. * J. Austen, P&P.
Rating: 
Summary: SCHINDLER'S LIST meets THE COLOR PURPLE
Review: TITANIC schmitanic! While both movies were excellent, this one should have gotten best picture. It is way more powerful and important then Leo and Kate falling in love in a movie that everyone knows the ending to.
Rating: 
Summary: Spielberg does another one by the numbers
Review: Once again Speilberg shows that he knows how to push the buttons -- right from the opening scene, where the action is illuminated by lightning flashes at unrealistically short intervals. Go for the reptile brain with those flashing lights, Steve. Where this movie finally lost it for me, though, was in the courtroom. Why would Spielberg hire one of the world's great actors (Anthony Hopkins) to play one of America's great orators, have him deliver a wonderful speech, and then paste a syrupy musical soundtrack over the whole thing? This seems to me typical of the director's work -- his estimation of us is that we lack the intelligence or emotional depth to frame our own reactions to events, so he manipulates us with flashing lights and elevator music. Unfortunately, judging by the customer ratings this and other movies of his have received, his estimate of the majority of movie-goers is correct.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishingly awful - but not unexpected.
Review: This movie would have succeeded if it had starred Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Leslie Nielson and Dan Ackroyd. It's so appallingly acted, scripted and directed that it amounts to a laughable parody of a 'serious' subject matter. An exercise in sickly false sentiment with the requisite maudlin musical score that has become Spielberg's unmistakable trademark. It is really nothing more than a boring - and equally badly made - derivative of the TV mini-series 'Roots' that was inflicted on us some 20 years ago. A cynical - and inevitably failed - attempt by Spielberg to gain recognition, legitimacy, and status as an 'auteur' film-maker. He should stick to what he does best: catering to his uncritical and adoring fans.
Rating:
Summary: La Amistad doesn't sink
Review: Hearing that Spielberg was going to release another movie in 1997, I thought it was going to become another classic, just like Schindler's List. I soon watched it and realized that it sure couldn't stand next to the Holocaust epic as another great masterpiece. Amistad is still a good film. I guess Spielberg wanted to take a break from making highly honored movies. The storyline was nicely written, and the score by John Williams along with African chants make such a dramatic soundtrack. It isn't the kind of powerful Spielberg movie that has most people rushing to see, but a good film overall.
Rating:
Summary: Great history review.
Review: After Issues like this went on, The Civil War broke out. The movie makes me feel like i am there, well written, and great casting! If you you like historical (half) Fiction(makes some sense there) films, then Watch it.Matthew Conley of Roodmont Computers.
Rating:
Summary: Speilberg is too ambitious.....
Review: This movie isn't a totally bad movie. But there's one real reason why some people don't like this movie. It's just because Speilberg made this film for an oscar, Just like he made Color Purple after making a lot of entertaining films. And he didn't express his feelings about racism like as Schindler's List. He definitley isn't cocky but he beleives himself too much. He just thinks that if he makes an all right movie that can be nominated at the Academy's, he can win it. If we can say that Schindler's List was a movie to show how the Jewish people suffered and shows the dark side about the Nazi, this film shows that still, only white people can save the black. Just like movies like 'The Power of One'. And we can also think about 'I made a movie like this. Nobody in this year can make a better movie as me.'. Look at E.T. That's a real pure minded film that shows us how pure Speilberg can make films. Or like Raders of the Lost Ark. He has been so famous, but he wants more. The failure of Amistad has been a great example for Speilberg to make movies that are pure instead of making comertionalizing films. 3 stars out of five.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent DVD Transfer
Review: I watched Amistad last night on DVD. I've seen it twice before. I had to run out and buy the DVD the day it came out. The video is sharp and crisp (Also Anamorphic). I only have a Pro Logic system but the sound was great also. The DVD has a seamless layer change. (Unless I blinked). This is a touching story. It Always makes me misty when Cinque gives Morgan Freeman the (tooth) gift that his wife gave him before he was stolen.
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