Just perfect...

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Good concept, poorly executed.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Although Roots is about slavery it is also about family and legacy and as such has a universal message. The superb quality of the first mini- series is carried on in Roots: The Next Generation. The first series left off at the Reconstruction Era where hopes of legal, economic, and social equality are dashed, most especially during the Populist era of the 1890s. That was when a lot of demagogic politicians especially those in the South linked racism to economic advancement for poor whites. A legacy the South still has to deal with today.Great Grandson Tom Harvey of Kunte Kinte from Africa and his wife Irene played by Georg Stanford Brown and Lynne Moody carrying on from the first series. Legends of Kunte Kinte renamed Toby here are handed down to the family as he's referred to as 'the old African'. The issues in their different forms are being addressed down to the present generation as author Alex Haley played by James Earl Jones rediscovers and documents the family's African roots. Marlon Brando won an Emmy and is unforgettable as George Lincoln Rockwell head of the American Nazi Party. You will not forget his performance as the personification of hate and James Earl Jones's extreme uncomfortableness doing an interview. By contrast Jones develops a rough rapport with Malcolm X played by Al Freeman and gets his first acclaim as a writer doing Malcolm's autobiography.One role I particularly liked was that of John Hancock who is the CPO of the steward's mess in The Coast Guard and mentor to young Alex Haley played by Damon Evans. It's a similar to the non-commissioned officer that Hancock played in A Soldier's Story.Also in a mentoring role of sorts is Ossie Davis who mentors Alex Haley's father Simon Haley played by Dorian Harewood in the ways of being a Pullman Porter. The issues involving that job and the organization by A. Phillip Randolph of The Brotherhood Of Sleeping Car Porters ares touched on here, but dealt with fully in 10,000 Black Men Named George.Roots: The Next Generation continues an excellent tradition and will be seen by more generations than the old African Kunte Kinte could have imagined.

Alex Haley's 'Roots' and 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X.' are two of the most important and provocative works of non-fiction in twentieth century American literature. Bringing these essential books to film entertainment must have been a daunting task definitely.As most people know the result was entirely successful.The original mini-series 'Roots' was a phenomenal success and went on to become a television classic.'Roots:The Next Generations' reputation is less recognized which seems too bad because this is a powerful, well-acted series as well. I especially liked 'Next Generations' because it dealt with the life of the author and with the historical collaboration on Malcolm X.'s biography. This whole thing was a decade before Spike Lee and Denzel Washington made the brilliant and controversial film 'Malcolm X.'. There is also an amazing scene where Haley interviews American Nazi Party leader George Lincoln Rockwell. Television doesn't get any more topical than this.The production is lavish and expensive for television. there are moments when the production reveals it's made-for-TV budget limitations, the final scenes in Africa are filmed on a studio backlot, some of the aging make-up is obvious,but effective, and the use of two different actresses to play Haley's grandmother in different stages of old age is not effective. But why quibble? This is great stuff. Informative history put in an entertaining way. Besides, how can you go wrong with Marlon Brando and Irene Cara.

i am watching this now on cable TV ONE station which over here is channel 173. amazing film/movie and i plan to order it on DVD as i seen the commercial it is FINALLY BEING RELEASED,in October 07 on DVD. i want it and i love it so much but love even MORE THE ORIGINAL ROOTS. just love it so much can watch it as i do almost each and every year soon to own i my mid 30's the whole collection. no wonder why roots won so many awards and multiple additional nominations..EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH THIS,SHAME ON THE BLACKS LATINOS AND OTHER MINORITIES WHO HASN'T WATCHED,and EVERYONE who believe in STRENGTH, SURVIVING what your thinking,at the time is just too impossible to "survive"and achieve.GOD BLESS YOU ALEX HALEY for this incredible multi-part saga,encompassing QUEEN with HALLE BERRY talented lovely self and others.Bless,all of our ancestors,who came before all of us,may you RIP..Never tired of watching the beautiful talented IRENE CARA,and the handsome beautiful,fine actor,he is of our time under-rated IMO)(in my opinion)Dorian Harewood.Going to watch with an amigo today again.adios

Without a doubt, this family saga eclipses John Galsworthy's 'The Forsythe Saga' as well as 'The Thorn Birds' and 'North and South'. All of them are dwarfed by Alex Haley's work. This offering features the last three generations after the American Civil War leading up to Alex Haley in the 20th century. He is the benchmark for 'Black Writing', family sagas and period dramas. Even the period dramas that Sidney Poitier and Hattie McDaniels appeared pales into insignificance compared with this work. More than that, this piece of entertainment delivers high quality acting, good dialogue, solid characters and engaging story lines. I had to watch this again and again to absorb it because it was so good.