Animal (2004)

63% of users liked it
(4,741 ratings)

A notorious gangster must reconcile his past in order to make a future for his criminally-minded son in this crime-drama starring football superstar Jim Brown and Pulp Fiction star Ving Rhames. James "Animal" Allen (Rhames) reveled in a life of violent crime until he was placed behind bars. Upon… More A notorious gangster must reconcile his past in order to make a future for his criminally-minded son in this crime-drama starring football superstar Jim Brown and Pulp Fiction star Ving Rhames. James "Animal" Allen (Rhames) reveled in a life of violent crime until he was placed behind bars. Upon meeting an ageing revolutionary during his stint in the slammer, Allen is guided toward the written word of Malcolm X and offered an illuminating historic document by Machiavellian slave owner Willy Lynch, leading him to conclude that his people are being manipulated into killing one another by a higher force. Soon released on a technicality, Allen returns home to find that his son Darius (Terrence Howard) has taken up a life of crime and seems bent on maintaining his father's legacy. Now imbued with a newfound sense of clarity and purpose, Allen must convince his son to break the cycle of violence while he still has the power to do so by his own will. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: David J. Burke
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Sep 27, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Sep 27, 2005
Studio: First Look Pictures

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Chosen 7

Somewhat interesting but weakly written Independent gangster/prison drama by unknowns David C. Johnson and Thomas Care, and directed by David J. Burke. Good performance by Ving Rhames [even though the he was a little over the top at times], Terrence Howard ["Hustle &… More
Somewhat interesting but weakly written Independent gangster/prison drama by unknowns David C. Johnson and Thomas Care, and directed by David J. Burke. Good performance by Ving Rhames [even though the he was a little over the top at times], Terrence Howard ["Hustle & Flow", "Fighting"], and NFL-Legend Jim Brown ["Any Given Sunday"] as a black revolutionary who just got off death row. Decent performances by Chazz Palminteri ["A Bronx Tale"], Taraji P. Henson ["The Curious Case of Benjamin Button","The Karate Kid"] Wes Studi, and Faizon Love. Overall - with better writing and a better director it would have been a good film and a lot more compelling, there's a good message [of redemption, learning to live a more peaceful life, and breaking the cycle of violence that plagues the black community] behind it though.
Barry L

Typical of the type but a good film nevertheless.