I have to admit that I've never seen the original 1957 movie and so I don't know how this remake compares to it, but I'm sure it did it proud. 12 Angry Men is a movie that is completely built off the acting of it's characters, because there is no action, no graphics, just dialogue and plot. 12 jurors have to decide on the outcome of the trial of a young boy who is accused of stabbing his own father. 11 of the jurors are convinced that he is guilty, while 1 of the jurors (Jack Lemmon) isn't sure that he is guilty and refuses to vote guilty because of his uncertainty. Basically, this is a story that screams out for the need of justice in U.S., the way it was meant to be. Coming after the O.J. Trial, this is a great example of what's wrong with the justice system today. Jack Lemmon is the liberalistic juror who takes a stand against the other 11 jurists and tries to make them realize that they can't be certain that the boy is guilty. While there are 12 jurors, basically the story revolves around 3 men and there completely different viewpoints. Lemmon's main opponent is George C. Scott who is a flaming conservative from the 19th Century. Scott is always great as the convincing, "down to Earth" type who believes in quick and ground breaking actions. Due to experiences with his own lost son, he feels it to be his duty to make sure this kid pays. The 3rd view in this film is portrayed by Mykelti Williamson as the "Black Panther-type" African-American who still is convinced that the "White Man" is out to destroy his race. Williamson deserved an Academy nomination as "Bubba" in Forest Gump and continues to be the most underrated black actor in Hollywood. Williamson does an excellent job with his loud and radical violent views and not only scares the other jurors, but shocks the viewer too. Not to take anything away from the other jurors. The casting for this movie is great and includes many familiar actors like Tony Danza, Edward James Olmos, Courtney B. Vance, and Hume Cronyn along others. A great plot, a great cast, and a great flow of debating issues makes this a damn good movie for those who love intellectual thrillers. Due to it being a remake, I can't give it anything for originality and intellectual thrillers aren't exactly eye-openers or nonstop excitement, so I gave the movie an 8 ot of 10.
Review of 12 Angry Men
