Customer Reviews

Light It Up [VHS]

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wow,I am in awe of this genious movie.I guess it's kinda controversial(they take a cop hostage and lock themselves in the school to prove their points) but that only adds to the brilliance of it.I thought Usher was just a talentless teen idol but this movie changed my mind about him.He really is amazing as an actor.It was also a nice suprise to see my favorite actress Sara Gilbert appear in it.As always,she is superb.This movie speaks a lot of truth.Its also full of hope.Hope that maybe someday people will understand that age is just a number.Maybe they'll realize that racism gets us nowhere.THAT'S what this movie is all about.As one of the characters said,"All we want is respect!".Thats what its all about.Standing up for your beliefs.I highly reccomend this fabulous movie to anyone.It changed my life.

Too many times in recent years we have tuned into the news only to hear of another school shooting. In this movie, we see it from the point of view of the students involved. This brilliant film from Craig Bolotin, the director of Miami Vice, shows us how good people can suddenly find themselves involved in bad situations. Because of a self-serving principal and a cop with too much attitude, six high school students take the cop hostage and ask for better school furniture, textbooks, etc., as their demands. As the movie plays on, we see that each character is very deep and complex -- each with her or his demons, each with redeeming qualities. The beginning of the film, until the time that the cop is taken hostage, seems contrived and there are several inconsistencies with the film, but overall, it is definitely worth watching.

Light it Up brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "Ride or die", as Lester, a student at Lincoln High in New York, takes the school, along with five of his classmates; some friends, some merely acquaintances. Regardless of their relationships at the beginning of this whole ordeal, they all had one thing in common; they had been branded as gangbangers and deadbeats, before they even had the chance to be themselves.

The sparks begin to fly when Mr. Knowles (Judd Nelson), a highly-respected, well-liked teacher is fired, after becoming a hero.

Driven by the demons that plague his mind, and the memory of his father, Lester Dewitt (Usher Raymond) was only trying to protect his friend Ziggy (Robert Ri'chard), a young artist, from a security officer named Jackson (Forest Whitaker), when the officer loses his gun in the struggle. The gun goes off, and leaves Jackson with a wound to the leg.

And so it begins. Lester grabs up the gun, and rounds up the five other students who witnessed the struggle, and who knew what really took place, taking Jackson hostage.

Hours will pass... the city will watch... the students will be heard, because this is their time.

Light it Up is sure to grab your gut and twist it with an unrelentness fist. You will become the characters portrayed, and you will live those hours that killed the demons in their minds, as you sit back in the comfort of your own, cozy living room, and Light it Up.

Well, usually I'm not into movies like this. My DVD collection consist of fantasy, comedy, and a little bit of horror. However, this one I just happened to see on tv. It was a instant hit with me. It speaks the truth, and the die hard facts behind it all. It shows you to respect your fellow man, and not just jump to conclusions. It doesn't matter if your black or not, you will feel for this movie. I ain't black, and I did. Acting is great as well.

And I just wanted to note, whoever it was that gave it 1 star seems to be a minor that just likes writing bad reviews. Do notice that all the other reviews are good.

It was actually EXCELLENT. It has my man Usher in it incl. the whole cast Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Williams, Forest Whitaker, Sara Gilbert, Fredro Starr (he's bad), the whole list goes on and on.

I was laughin' to death when a lot of craziness goin' on inside the movies from the guns poppin, the police chasin', a lotta people gettin' out of the school 'cuz of emergency, lot of mad talkin and fussin' goin on and all that other s**t. Y'know what I mean. Anyway the list goes on and on.

This is similar to those that don't like gangsta rap nor hip-hop/rap, mainstream music, soundtracks, gangsta movies, or whatever it is, it doesn't matter. I believe it's telling us to watch out 'cuz a lotta people are watching us.

For fans that love Menace II Society, Lean on Me, Stand and Deliver, Dangerous Minds, Jason's Lyric, Above the Rim, Boyz in the Hood, The Temptations, the TV show CHEATERS or JERRY SPRINGER (which I watched to this day), New Jack City, Malcolm X, etc. must check it out 'cuz it shoulda won a Academy Award.

Congrats for Usher for making a good film. He should deserve it.

All of you gotta see this movie, iz the illest movie in the world. It got a madd deep message too, if you want something in life you gotta take it. All of you should see this movie is hotttttttt!!!

this is the best movie all year. usher, robert, sara, rosario, clifton, fredro, and forest whitaker all did an outstanding job. this is one to see and one to own.

This movie Was amazing inever saw a movie that was that good sence dangerous minds if u loved that movie you will be obsesed with this one!

I cant even begin to say how that video effected me. I knew that it would be good because Usher was in it, but I had no idea. I was completely blown away. This movie made me laugh, cry, and just feel exactly how they felt. I could relate to this movie like it was really happening to me. I encourage EVERYONE to rent this.

this is the best movie ever. these innocent kids are just begging for the chance to be heard, and not to be classified as gangsters, and thugs just because they live in a dangerous area. i think that more then half the people in this world have been a victum of racisim once or twice in there life, but one person can make a difference and ignorance isn't hear to stay.

usher raymond delievers and unbelievable performance as does darlene connor, from the roseanne show. this is movie touches on ever aspect of life in the ghetto, and is a treasure, if you can just watch it.