SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Good start, but then it gets ruined

A Brilliant Conflict

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

I've seen worse, which is a backhanded way of saying how crummy this film was. The plot is ridiculous: a student shoots a police officer and five more take him hostage? In a dimly-lit, smoky New York school -- and somehow this clichéd hostage situation takes 24 hours to resolve? Are you serious? A day-long hostage situation -- with a wounded NYPD officer no less, takes all day? I realize this film was made pre-9/11, but still. I looked at the clock and wondered how they could possibly drag this overdone plot on for another hour and 10 minutes.The acting was mediocre at best all-around, and the characters were seemingly thought up by 7th graders. The child-abuse kid, the pregnant scared girl, the violent gang wannabe, a confused unfortunate victim, the wise-cracking white guy. Please.Trying to make this hostage situation into a mission for "more textbooks" and better school conditions? Please -- this is a weak attempt to justify writing a movie about a kid who shoots a cop. They're confused, ignorant idiots who get involved in a dumb -- far-fetched -- situation. Don't try and paint them, suddenly, as noble, The most laughable is Ziggy, who lives in the school's attic and admires Michaelangelo so much so that he paints these striking scenes on the walls. You've got to be kidding me.The "no racism" signs in the protesting crowd? A black kid shoots a black cop and a black negotiator tries to patch it all up. This is a random message.I understand the overall message, which was poorly portrayed, albeit by some actors who have gone on to respectable careers.This was a joke though the red sniper lasers on the roof? The worst scene was the kid, fake snow falling, dying in the arms of his buddy on the roof, "promise me" etc. How original.The epilogue of "I went to prison but now I'm pre-law at XYZ University" ... a fitting way to end a joke of a movie.

Although I wouldn't have been the person who would have thought to rent this movie if I had seen it in a video store, I saw it on TV for the first time last night and was amazed. It was a terrific movie that I would recommend to almost anyone. The themes and violence could be too strong for young children, but even adults that don't like violence or strong themes in movies should see this movie because the ideas in it are so good that it is worth it. This would be a great movie to watch with a church group of older students or something like that because it stresses some great points and shows a lot about human nature and what makes humans beautiful.

I love this movie. People say it just another teen rebel movie, well I beg to differ. This movie will open your eye to the issues that go on in school to date. They say that it was completely on unreal, everything in that movie could happen. First off, the cast choice couldn't have been better, everybody gave a great, promising effort in this movie. Especially, Usher, he held it down. See would think Usher was soft with all his songs he make, but in this movie he meant that sh*t. Rosario Dawson, also good performance and Fredo Starr just made the movie a little do gangster but it was still good. The movie had a lot of feeling and suspense to it, and that made me keep on watching the movie. If had a chance I would have want to be cast in this movie, but this is the type of movie that will make your heart turn warm, but still know about the cold. There were very few problems in the movie and I like that. Overall I would buy the DVD, and ask for a date with Rosario Dawson.

Granted, this movie isn't particularly true-to-life, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. This is a surprisingly good movie with some superb performances. My conscience wouldn't let me sleep if I didn't take time out to mention that Usher gives a fantastic performance, restoring hope in a world where musicians try hard to be actors and fall miserably short of the mark. This movie is well worth your time; go see it.