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LIGHT IT UP DRAMA Frustrated students take over their high school. The minute the young artist in this movie mentions his favourite artist Basquait I knew how this film was going to end. Annoying!!!

Most people will find it difficult to relate to LIGHT IT UP. Most of us will not be able to identify with what occurs in this film. Why? Well being a product of the Canadian education system the idea of going to a school with smashed out windows and no heat in the winter is just not something I can picture happening. The shame of it all is that this does happen in the New York area schools. This is something that should not happen in the most developed country in the world. Education and health is a must in any country. It must be put above anything else. Well, that's politics I guess. I'm just surprised that the incidents that occur in this picture do not happen more often. Heaven knows the stage has been set for this type of thing for a long time now. The story takes place in Queens, New York. The high school is in a state of absurd neglect. No heat, broken windows and water dripping on school books. Why any parent would allow their children to go to a school in this condition is beyond me. We learn throughout the movie that the parents are uncaring or at least that is what the writer wants us to believe. Misunderstandings abound in this school which eventually leaves six students with two hostages...a cop played by Forest Whittaker and a run down high school. The barricaded students realize that with the eyes of the nation on them, they finally have a voice that can be heard, but what to say. They do not ask for money or immunity...they just want the right to receive a decent education. The hostage police officer witnesses what their lives have been like and he slowly begins to empathize with them to the point where he risks his own life to help them. We know that the inevitable must happen. The swat teams must go in. The students have to hide out in the school attic where the artist Ziggy hides out. He can not go home because of what his father does to him. The attic is a place where he has put is soul on display. This is probably the most powerful scene in the film and if you are an artist you will appreciate it all the more. Hopefully, this movie will make people angry enough to remember it when they vote. The real shame is that the people who could do something about this situation will probably never see this film. You on the other hand should see it. For those young people still in school who see this film, be thankful of what you have and be glad it has not happened to you. LIGHT IT UP is a film worth seeing. Hey I do have one suggestion. Production people, microphones should be heard and not seen on the screen. I saw at least eight mikes on the screen. ANNOYING!!!

Cast and Credits: Starring: Usher Raymond, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa L. Williams, Forest Whitaker, Sara Gilbert Directed by Craig Bolotin Written by Craig Bolotin Produced by Tracey Edmonds Distributed by Fox 2000 Pictures Rating USA... R for heavy language and violence Rating Canada... AA for violence and harsh language Read Another Review Of This Film Read Still Another Review Of This Film

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