Popular reviews

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  Review by Andy Young ★★★★ 8

  Real “teacher putting on a movie in high school” vibes - but damn it if that’s not my Achilles Heel

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  Review by Rafael "Parker!!" Jovine ★★★★ 7

  Starring: King Kong Ain’t Got Sh!t On Denzel

  Denzel Washington returns not just with another inspiring story, but also what happens to be his second effort as a director.

  And, as one would expect from a film of this type, it adheres to many of its conventions. But what I believe really puts it up there with the greatest is the writing, which is especially important in a film about debate and compelling arguments; there are many memorable lines in the film that not only work well with the film's uplifting tone but also make me reflect on my own values and principles as a viewer. The debate sessions and how they are conducted should have been better directed, as…

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  Review by Deckk ★★★ 2

  100-word review: Started watching this wrongfully believing it was something I’d seen and enjoyed before, and stayed after I realised I hadn’t, because it did an alright job at direct racial commentary. Other reviews already mention how this is very much a “put on by the teacher in high school”-movie, and I gotta hard agree: it’s exactly that vibe and quality, but an A-tier example of said vibe for sure. Denzel Whitaker plays Forest Whitaker’s son, but the two are not related IRL, but he is in fact named after Denzel Washington (director and star of the film). What a funny coincidence.

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  Review by London ★★★ 2

  I didn't realize it until I was about 20 minutes in, but I have seen this movie before. It had to have been 7 or 8 years ago, but I watched this movie in High School. All the lights off, sitting at my desk, watching a Denzel Washington helmed historical drama a shitty ass TV mounted on a rolling cart. The Great Debaters is one of the big examples of films destined for Schools. Freedom Writers, Stand By Me, The Butler, The Great Debaters, The Blind Side, Lord of the Flies. These are all examples of this genre. This isn't to say anything about their quality, but these are all films, for better or for worse, that are destined to…

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  Review by Kieron ★★★★

  Denzel Whitaker. Forest Whitaker. Nate Parker. Denzel Washington. Jurnee Smollett. All absolutely fantastic. This film has such a beautiful narrative behind it that touches on heartbreaking and strong themes through the surroundings of debate within a cruel era. A solid, thought-provoking, deep and resonating watch. Highly recommend and it’s on Netflix!
  
  The majority does not decide what is right or wrong. Your conscience does.

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  Review by Callum (Lincoln Al-Gaib™) ★★★½

  A based Socialist Debate-Bro™ Denzel Washington, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it Indiana Jones cameo *AND* a Glen Powell jumpscare!? If Denzel's Maker-Eye wasn't so firmly steeped in the 90's Schmaltz-Era stylings of say a [I am once again taking the opportunity to bring up] Ron Howard's the movie 1992's Far And Away, I'd almost maybe might be inclined to call The Great Debaters the highlight of my month, my "Denzel-December", my Dune-- but alas...

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  Review by Ertaç ÇELİK ★★★★

  ''An unjust law is no law at all.'' We can take this quote as the summary of this movie and the black history. If we ask who can criticize
  the system in a better way, we have the best answer 'Denzel Washington'.
  Like in his other movies, he is the most dominant leader in this movie.
  He always proves that the best solution to problems is the education itself. With
  that education, these debaters became the leaders of awareness of black people.

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  Review by chavel ★★★½

  Denzel Washington is one of the top movie stars on the planet, but he’s helmed three pictures and while I like his other titles (“Antwone Fisher,” “Fences”) this is, to me, his best filmmaking thus far -- a meritorious piece of black history. It's about a 1935 against-all-odds black college debate team from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas that perseveres enough that they find themselves competing against thoroughbred white colleges, with Harvard as their finale prestigious opponent.

  Many blacks on the outskirts live in camps or huts in the backwoods, but some lucky families have built a foundation for themselves, and their children go to school. We instantly root for the four young characters that are of high aspiration, all…

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  Review by Jason Still ★★★

  Stirring and worthy true story, with a glossy Sunday evening feel that knowingly leans into sentiment; though this is not to say - despite its air of ‘safety’ - that it doesn’t go to some horribly dark places, as it must…

  …Washington is great as the charismatically radical teacher in the vein of Williams’ John Keating, driving the young cast to deliver their ovation-inspiring speeches, rousingly encouraged by the trademark swells of a James Newton Howard score.

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  Review by ARegularJoe ★★★★ 2

  Proving that Denzel Washington is not only a great actor, but also as a talented man behind the camera, The Great Debaters effectively communicates it's familiar themes, with excellent performances, a tightly written script, and is a very uplifting film in the end.

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  Review by Hasan👾 ★★★½

  Wow what an absolute gem of a movie. Had literal goosebumps throughout each debate.

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  Review by Charlie ★★★½

  A great story and a stellar cast.  Thought I’d be bored but I was completely engrossed in what was going on. Absolutely worth a watch.