This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

The basic plot for this movie is nothing new - we've seen it in a number of other movies, such as "American History X". But I was willing to see it done again. I felt that an African-American perspective could make it more interesting.Sadly, they screwed up the execution for the most part. To begin with, this is a technically shoddy affair. I know it was a low budget movie, but I have seen other low budget movies that overcame their handicaps and looked technically strong. Here, the colors look murky, often the image on screen looks slightly out of focus, and the camera is CONSTANTLY close-up to what's happening on screen, sometimes so close it's hard to tell just what is happening. At times I thought this was a cheapie Canadian movie shot in Vancouver! It's possible that the movie could still have worked despite all that, but that's not the case. The script has a number of major flaws to it. We learn next to nothing about the "Animal" character before he is arrested and sent to jail, so it's hard to see his transformation, especially adding the fact that he supposedly (and magically) changes after reading just two pieces of literature. There are other script goofs, such as "Animal" having to stay in jail for several more months when evidence comes out that proves him innocent (and still having to see a parole officer once he's released.) Mostly, the movie is slow going, either in prison or when "Animal" gets out of prison. The dullness of this enterprise is the main reason why this sinks. Anything good to say about this movie? Well, I thought the acting was decent by everyone. Though they should have considered the casting more when it came to the son of "Animal". He's very light skinned when shown as a boy, but when he's grown up, his skin is significantly darker. This is typical of the lack of detail the filmmakers put into this movie.

... rushed execution and obviously not a lot of production value(s). You could live with the latter, but the performances aren't the best either. Of course it's nice to see Ving Rhames in a lead role, but it'd be even better, if the script got sharpened too, so it would match his performance skills too.The title of the movie gives you the main character and you also know, from the (V) behind the movies name here at IMDb, that it is directly produced for Video/DVD use. Terence Malick does elevate the movie too, but not as much as you'd think he would! The story (if you really want to know it before you watch it, read it here somewhere on the IMDb page) has been done before, so you might be used to see better movies, than this one on this particular topic ...

Wow. I was glad I rented this movie. Actually it just so happens that my teen boys and I sat down and watched this movie together. We don't do that often, but "Animal" gave us a lot to think about. Ving Rhames' performance was his best, thus far! I like the fact that we see the side of the criminal that most films don't show, a person who really truly wants to change from what he used to be and into what his true purpose is in life. Terrence Howard, of course, always breaths life and realness into his characters. I felt sorry for his character as, again, we see the reality that young African-American men, although urged to grow up real fast in the face of taking the big responsibility of heading the household (forgive the run-ons), still have this little kid inside of them who thirsts/screams to be a young child, held and loved. All of the actors were great, the script was great, and Ving Rhames'crying scene in which he goes back into his childhood, is superb. I know my sons were so effected by "Animal" because we talked about 20 minutes after the movie ended about the Willie Lynch letter and the boys asked questions and I answered as best I could. I was so impressed with "Animal that weeks later I searched to buy a VHS version for at least one hour at a local movie rental house. I was disappointed I couldn't find it on VHS. Go see Animal, it's great.

This is the story of a man nick named Animal. Baddest of the bad, Animal was the head of a crew in ghetto neighborhood he lived in. One day he's arrested and sent to jail leaving behind a wife and child. While in jail for years he continues his violent ways, at the same time his son takes after his old man and becomes known as "Little Animal". With the help of a fellow prisoner Animal changes his way and is eventually paroled. Back at home he now must struggle with carving a out a new life while trying to figure out out how to save his son from ending up like him, or worse.I stumbled upon this film by accident and I'm glad I did. Animal is a brutal, heartfelt look at life in the "hood", how nothing ever changes, and what it takes to change things. Its a well told story that has some of the best performances of the year in any film. Every one in this movie is excellent from Ving Rhames on down. The acting alone is reason enough to see this film, however there is a very real story being told. It will move you and break your heart.Forgive me I finished the film not long ago and I still feel the effects of this wonderful movie.Its left me with a loss of words. I think all I can really say is see this film and be moved too.