Diamonds are forever (Blood Diamond (DVD))

Member Name: ralfschumacher

Product:	Blood Diamond (DVD)
Date:	09/01/08 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent acting, good directing, good soundtrack score

Disadvantages: Hollywood ending

Blood Diamond is a brilliant and gripping movie and is by far the best film I have seen this year. It's combination of realistic storytelling, spot on acting and all out action scenes is what makes this movie work so well. I must tell you though that this film is definitely not for the faint hearted as a lot of scenes can be quite violent and bloody.

The movie is set in 1990's Sierra Leone against the backdrop of a raging civil war and is the story of two men, Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) and Danny Archer (Leonardo Di Caprio) whom have to work together in order to find a rare pink diamond. While in prison for smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon, who was captured by anti-goverment rebels and forced pan for diamonds, has found and hidden the stone. So with the help of an American journalist named Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), the two set off on a dangerous journey into rebel territory to find the diamond.

The movie is directed by Ed Zwick whom also directed 'The Last Samurai' and 'Glory'. I think he has done a brilliant job bringing this movie to the screen because he has managed to convey both the dramatic aspects of the story and the fanatstic action sequences without it leaning to one side. This is what I believe will keep audiences gripped to the end, like it did with me. Another aspect that kept me entertained throughout was the chemistry between the two lead characters and the way that DiCaprio's character 'Archer', changes over the course of the film.

Overall I think both DiCaprio and Hounsou have done a great job and both deserve oscar's for their performances. Jennifer Conelly didn't have such a major role but she was also good in the film. But mainly I would have to give credit to the writer and director, whom have manged to bring to the screen an intriguing and gripping movie. 9/10

The DVD has brilliant picture quality and the sound is equally as good. The big action scene in the middle of the film sounds brilliant and has good bass sound. The DVD also has some good extras but the best would have to be the commentary and the 'Blood on the stone' documentary. Both of which give an excellent insight into how the film was made.

For the DVD I would give an 8/10 score.

Summary: A gripping and moving film about some of the true events that went on in Africa.