seems to have captured the confusing officer, who was only out for himself at first. Sara Gilbert Lynn is without a doubt perfect in her role as an outcast teen who only wants to be wanted, and silently begs for understanding. Stephanie and Rivers Rosio Dawson and Clifton Collins, Jr. are well played and well rounded characters. Stephanie, counting the days until graduation and Rivers, who's motto is "the rules are meant to be broken". The only character flaw in my opinion was Rodney Fredro Starr , a painful stereotype. As the movie goes on and the plot becomes more intense, we are slowly exposed to the raw lives of the teens. Ziggy Ri'chard is severely abused by his father and has taken refuge in the attic of the school. Lynn Gilbert only wanted a kiss from the jerk who got her pregnant. He never kissed her or talked to her after. Lester Raymond witnessed police officers shoot his innocent father to death. And Officer Jackson Whitaker lost his wife and son. The messages in this movie are clear. Stand up for what you believe in. Give everyone a fighting chance despite their age or race. The darkest people have the darkest secrets. These are messages our country desperately needs to hear, especially now.

young men with a vendetta against those who have done him wrong. He tries to balance the responsibility that he brought upon himself and deciding what is the best for him and his peers.Forest Whitaker plays the officer the young students of Lincoln high take hostage and plays the role pretty well. Rosario Dawson plays the lead female and is a believable good girl. Fredro Starr plays his usual gangster role as in Save the Last Dance. He is great in those roles because he can put that fear in you that he is crazy and will do anything. Robert Ri'chard makes his big screen debut as Ziggy. he is the quiet kid always trying to make peace and avoid controversy.If your looking for a movie that will get you thinking about how things are and should be changed this is a movie for you. There is plenty of drama in this movie. There is comedy, a little romance, and a real message in this movie and i suggest if you have not seen it go out and rent it.

and shows a lot about human nature and what makes humans beautiful.

still good. The movie had a lot of feeling and suspense to it, and that made me keep on watching the movie. If had a chance I would have want to be cast in this movie, but this is the type of movie that will make your heart turn warm, but still know about the cold. There were very few problems in the movie and I like that. Overall I would buy the DVD, and ask for a date with Rosario Dawson.

wasn't as visible, you could feel more connected to him than to the rest. Forest Whitaker was great as Officer Jackson, the real reason behind the school hostage situation. Usher was pretty good as Lester, and I have to say, Lester's destiny in the movie really surprised me. I did not expect the final outcome to end as it did. Fredro Starr played the thug, Rodney. He's normally pretty good at these roles, and this movie was no exception. I really hope anyone that sees this will get past the school violence B.S. and concentrate on the message. The schools are the kid's. They have a right to be heard too. If you see the movie with that type of mentality then you won't come away dissappointed.

this movie is that it was a very powerful movie it shows how life really is its is kind like the movie about the kids that had to write in that note book sorry i forgot the name but still this movie was as interesting.