Rating: 
Summary: Well done
Review: I loved this movie. Although, I do admit I had a hard time believing Keanu Reeves in his part. Overall, it was enjoyable and entertaining. It presented an easy to understand history to Buddhism. Very well done.
Rating: 
Summary: mixed review
Review: Yes, aesthetically this is a well-crafted film. Yes, it's only a film, and it was entertaining to watch. And I absolutely understand why someone might completely adore this movie. But I think there is a real validity to some of the criticism made by other reviewers in regards to this film. I don't think these individuals are somehow phony Buddhists... and it would be rather hypocritical to take a 'Holier than Thou' approach, isn't it? (Or should I say, 'More Buddhist than Thou'?).What I mean to say is that criticisms of this film are valid, thought provoking, and allow viewers to enjoy/understand the implications of this film on an entirely new level. Here are some additional quotes, of people that said things much better than I could. I don't necessarily hold steadfast to all these views, but they are utterly thought provoking, and completely relevant: "The promise of film has been transformed into an astheticized folklore of phanatasmagorized exchange"
-Anita Hill "Such tales are the architectonic machinery of the culture industry and have transcended their subject matter. They have fallen into the fetishistic apparatus of representation"
-J. Wong-Wylie Its also interesting to look at what authors Yasmeen Abu Laban and Christina Gabriel describe as "selling diversity": "a selling of diversity, whereby the skills, talents, and ethnic backgrounds of men and women are commodified, marketed, and billed as trade enhancing. In this context, certain notions of ?diversity?...are viewed favourable, both at home in Canada and globally" The film 'Little Buddha' offers us a fantastic opportunity to think about this commodification of culture, identity and religion, as well as its simultaneous exoticization. There's nothing inherently wrong about our tendency of consuming the exotic. There's nothing inherently wrong about this film either. As others and I have said, it?s just a movie. But I think what's important is the absence of alternative to the exoticized pageantry "Little Buddha" offers.
And a comment about the film itself: I think what disappointed me about this film is that it felt hollow and a little two dimensional for my tastes. It left me wanting more; more story (outside the Lord Budda narrative), more depth, and stronger characters that I would have time to develop an attachment for. But, perhaps, that says more about me as a viewer than it says about the film itself. Anyhow, take a chance to see this movie, its not a complete and utter failure, its just a bit boring in terms of character development and storyline. Also, I found Alex Udvary's review (June 27, 2000) of the film to be very helpful and insightful.
Rating:
Summary: i own it
Review: i instantly fell in love with the movie,but encountered a minor problem.after endless searching for the original soundtrack,my search is still in vain.i wished it was easier for enthusiasts like me to search for soundtrack that they genuinely enjoy.but then,maybe it is subjected to availability. one thing for sure is that i hope that the japanese genius behind the music would easily be traced,if not now perhaps in the near future.the back ground music at the end of the movie brought tears to my eyes and touch my soul.
Rating:
Summary: Visually Stunning
Review: You have to remember that this is fiction. With that firmly in mind,it is hard not to enjoy the lush cinematography, and the interesting story about how the Dalai Lama comes back through reincarnation. In this particular situation, three young children are thought to be separate but integral reincarnations of the Dalai Lama. As the story progresses, the life of Siddharta (portrayed by Keanu Reeves) is simplistically revealed prior to his becoming Buddha, and his awakening into Buddha. I like the fact that the movie did not make any attempts to proselytize Buddhism, but instead revealed some of its beliefs and practices. The movie is very entertaining and absorbing; a dream-like fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: Perhaps it is simplistic, but I enjoyed it
Review: As a traditional Jew who is often critical of films about Judaism, I can understand why some Buddhist reviewers have disparaged "Little Buddha" as overly-simplistic. For a lifelong practitioner of Buddhism, it probably is. Then again, people have to start somewhere. Those of us who seriously practice a spiritual path - whatever it may be -- tend to forget that intro level materials are just that -- basic intro. While the average Buddhist might already know the story of Buddha's life by heart, the vast majority of non-Buddhists here in the USA do not. Also keep in mind that this is a PG family film, not an historical documentary. My impression was that the film was primarily aimed at children, since the main characters is a little boy, and the story-within-the-story about Buddha's life is presented as a series of scenes in a book he (the American kid) is reading. Granted, the film does have an certain idealized, fairytale quality, but then again, so do the all those sand-and-sandals films about Jesus. Which is why I would place "Little Buddha" in the same genre. I happen to like this kind of pagentry, so I enjoyed "little Buddha" for the icongraphy that it is. On the technical end, the cinamatography is beautiful, the costumes are superb, and the acting is well done. The story, while fictional, is based on real cases of Tibetan Lamas who have reincarnated in the West. As a companion to this film, I would recommend Vickie McKenzie's book, "Reborn in the West," which chronicles several such real-life cases. In fact, it was after reading McKenzie's book that I noticed this film and decided to view it.
Rating:
Summary: A highly comendable film!!
Review: First of all I would like to adress those who have negative comments about the film. I have to agree with 'a true buddhist review's'comments. It is just a film!! But further more I think that one should simply try to derive the message that the movie may offer about Eastern views on spirituality. Im not a Buddhist, but I do think that people should view such films in a certain disspassionate way, without any biases against certain religious faiths. Therefore I do find this film a great film, not because the outstanding cinematography, but because of the sprit and essence of the east that it encapsulates. I also think that Keanu Reeves done a superb job in playing Lord Buddah. In an interview for the making of the Matrix, he indeed quoted that:"Working on Little Buddah definately had an dramatic effect on my outlook towards life". I found this an extreemly enjoyable film to watch, and I highly recomend it to all those out there who not only enjoy films in the genre, but also simply like to watch "good films".
Rating:
Summary: a TRUE buddhist review.
Review: I am simply writing this to express my dissapointment in the other reviewers of this film who "claim" to be of the buddhist faith yet show such discontent,hatred,and negativity towards this film and anyone different then themselves.My dear friends...this is just a movie...a motion picture...no need for all this negativity.If a simple movie can upset you so much i can't imagine how you handle things of more importance...or perhaps you are weekend buddhists...you like the way and the idea of it..when it is convenient to you.I know nothing of you except for what i read here..and all i see are signs of hostility and negativity...i felt truely uncomfortable reading these reviews.Please...i ask of you..if you are going to "claim" to be of the same religion which has brought me so much happiness and understanding...try to actually behave the way a true buddhist would.Best wishes to you and may you find the error of your ways and be guided back to the right path. as far as the movie goes...like i said,it's just a movie..don't go into it expecting a life changing experience...it's has it's ups and downs but if you at all interested in buddhism..then i think you will enjoy this film.but why dont you rent it first and then decide if you want to purchase it for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty pictures, but nothing more.
Review: Those who enjoy this film tend to appreciate it as a cinematic "Buddhism for Dummies". ‘Educational’ tends to be an adjective that comes up a lot when rescribing this particular movie, perhaps it pleases an audience that finds the world of (Tibetan) Buddhism intriguing. However this movie fails it's cinematic audience, utterly. The plot is contrived, and borderline cheesy (particularly the ending), the characters merely facilitate the plot, rather than take up a presence of their own in the film. If you're not approaching this film as a introduction to the story of Buddha, skip it. On a another note, this film tends to reduce Buddhism to an exotic, idealized religion. As a Buddhist I have a profound respect for my own faith, but am able to understand it with a critical eye. Little Buddha glosses over a complex and imperfect faith, and ignores all the societal implications of it's creed. How refreshing it would have been to show the social complexities implied by this religion, the concept of Nirvana and rebirth. There are some hints of exploring this, for example the family of the young girl that is a 'candidate' for the reincarnated monk, shows her off like a status symbol that will bring their family respect from their neighbors. The issue of sending off one's child to a monastery as a means of escaping poverty is also touched upon briefly with one of the other children. This movie was deeply unsatisfying. I tend to find that those who love this movie tend to be the same people that respond with a fascinated "cooool" when I tell people I am Buddhist. The thing is Buddhism is an imperfect religion just like Catholicism, Hinduism, or Islam. But, I agree that cinematically, this movie is lush and gorgeous. If you enjoy this movie, great...but it's not on my list of faves. ;)
Rating:
Summary: clearly, not for me: Uses exoticism as a crutch
Review: An anti-climactic and empty narrative. Plot, plot, plot, but no character development. I know the story of lord Buddha...what is the point of this movie!? Completely absurd. I truly *wanted* to like this movie, but it gave me no reason to. There ARE some adorable moments, and a well-directed and crafty depiction of one family in India. But these moments are few and far between, and they certainly don't save this movie. Rather one-sided and depends too much on the exoticism of Zen Budhism. Almost fetishistic. Unfortunate, becasue this concept had some potential.
Rating:
Summary: Lotus Blossoms
Review: Perhaps the best way to describe this movie is the feelings and images it evokes within you. To me, this movie is a river filled with lotus blossoms swirling in a circle and drifting off towards a golden sunset. There is a serenity, beauty and soul quenching aspect. This is perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing movie I have seen besides the Kama Sutra and Seven Years In Tibet. It also contains symbols that are interesting to observe if you are willing to look deeper into the religious aspects. The main story of Tibetan Monk Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng) looking for his former teacher is interwoven with the story of Siddhartha Gautama/Shakyamuni who is seeking enlightenment and wants to end the suffering of constantly being reborn into a new life on earth. The story in the "real" world mingles with the ancient legends and religious tapestry of Buddhism. Lama Norbu is teaching and the story he is reading at the start of the movie relates to Buddah rejecting the teachings of the Hindu sacrificial system. Lama Norbu then receives a letter telling him his former teacher's reincarnation has been found. The Tibetan monks arrive in Seattle, WA and give a young child (Jesse) a book on Siddhartha/Buddha. While the story is being read it is acted out and is pure mythical magic. Keanu Reeves plays out the story of Buddha/Siddhartha who was a prince in a region north of Benares who forsook courtly life and his family at age 30 for the ascetic life in which he practices severe fasting. He first leaves the royal household and sees the suffering around him. There are four signs that lead to his inner struggle to search for a meaning to life. Once he sees suffering, he is changed and gains compassion. After six years of self-mortification Siddhartha realizes that perfection comes by observing the middle path between the extremes of self-mortification and hedonism. There is a scene in this movie that shows the cobra Mucalinda opening his hood to shelter the Buddha from the rain. This is shown during his ascetic life and actually occurred three weeks after his enlightenment. He receives enlightenment under a bodhi tree in a deer park in Varanasi. In legend and in this movie, he reaches it sitting at the foot of a tree in a forest surrounded by spirits called devas. He reaches this enlightenment by passing through the four stages of dhyana/jhana or a meditative trance. During this meditation he calls upon Mother Earth to witness his victory over Mara, the evil one (in Sanskrit it means "death") who was determined that Siddhartha would not achieve enlightenment. He becomes a Bodhisattva or one who has attained enlightenment and chooses to stay in the world to teach others. He then taught what he learned for the next forty years and is now known as Buddha or "the awoken one". What he eventually learned was that existence is suffering and that enlightenment comes from following the path of contemplation and recognizing the underlying unity of life. He believe that what you think, you become. If a man foolishly does me wrong, I will return to him the protection of my ungrudging love; the more evil comes from him, the more good shall go from me. ~Buddha (c. 563-483 B.C.E.), The Sutra of Forty-two Sections In this movie Buddah is compared to Christ in one scene. I do find many beautiful teachings in Buddhism that relate to the natural laws we all know in our hearts, but Buddah taught a way to end a cycle of suffering while Christ claimed to be the way to receive eternal life and escape eternal suffering. If you are a student of world religions and wish to understand Buddhism, I recommend this movie highly. You will also enjoy Seven Years in Tibet. After living in Seattle, Washington I was pleased to see a movie that showed not only the city, but also the gorgeous scenery that will take your breath away. Washington is one of the most beautiful places on earth and combined with exotic mythical scenes and rich cultural heritage of Bhutan this movie seems to contrast a life of spiritual beauty with a life of materialism. In the last scene the colors seem to almost represent a new spiritual awareness. You don't have to believe in reincarnation to find this movie intriguing. The retelling of Siddhartha is a mythical journey and there is one scene that is so poignant, I can only say that when burning spears turn to flower petals, you realize how powerful our thoughts really can be. Magical and speaks of the transient nature of life.
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