Title: Astonishingly awful - but not unexpected.
Product review: This movie would have succeeded if it had starred Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Leslie Nielson and Dan Ackroyd. It's so appallingly acted, scripted and directed that it amounts to a laughable parody of a 'serious' subject matter. An exercise in sickly false sentiment with the requisite maudlin musical score that has become Spielberg's unmistakable trademark.It is really nothing more than a boring - and equally badly made - derivative of the TV mini-series 'Roots' that was inflicted on us some 20 years ago. A cynical and inevitably failed attempt by Spielberg to gain recognition, legitimacy, and status as an auteur filmmaker. He should stick to what he does best: catering to his uncritical and adoring fans.
Would you say this review depicts the product in a flattering or unflattering light?
