This was not the best movie; but it did not have the run of the mill concept in the storyline or the acting. Good job by Ving Rhames, Jim Brown and Terence Howard. I love the message this movie embodies; it sends out an inspiring message to the disillusioned and the ignorant. It's a positive message that can change lives if people learn from the message and apply the wisdom attained. Honestly, I love what Jim said to Ving about the ignorant killing each other, and about being smart instead of tough in the streets. Kudos to the people who worked on this project; there needs to be more movies made with the same or similar practices and ideas. There was a movie named " Saving God One Soul At A Time " Ving Rhames stars in this movie also which I've found to have a similar message. If anyone enjoys this movie you will definitely like " Saving One Soul At A Time " as well.

This is a serious piece of film. Ving Rhames is one of the really under-rated actors out there right now....and Jim Brown is rock solid as the man who finally forces Animal to take a look at himself. The thing is: Brown's character makes Animal realize that while he's the way he is as a result of the Black Experience in America, he doesn't have to stay that way. There is a way out, you just have take the responsibility for finding it for yourself. I love the historical references in the movie, and the hard look it takes at how we are sometimes our own worst enemies, based on a silly concepts like skin tone. Beautiful, powerful film.

This movie touched on many areas of hood mentality that Black men (young and older) go through when trying to desperately get money the wrong way. Also,the Native American actor made me think about the effects of "assimilation" and thrown into a a ghetto designed by racism.

Amazing film one of the best films I've seen in my life, Ving Rhames played the part excellently. The film starts off has a grimy gangster movie but the he film ends with a positive message about the about how black people are trapped in the Willie lynch syndrome. The film explains how it keeps black people in a constant slave mentality that keeps black people down generation after generation and how to break free from it. The story shows the harsh reality about life growing up on the streets, which is marred by guns and drugs and how it can be difficult to change your life and those around you.

"Animal" is much better than it's rating here... It's a powerful piece of work. The best thing about it are the great performances by Ving Rhames and Terrence Howard, including a nice support role by football legend Jim Brown. It's true, the production values here are very low, but in terms of story and especially the acting, it's a great thing to watch. It does not rely on stereotypes, yet shows important scenes from living in the neighborhood, criminal life, and making choices. There is some violence in it, but it's not the central part of the movie. It's mostly about the development of the characters. I think that with a bigger budget "Animal" would've gotten a much higher critical response. I enjoyed it very much, I thought the script and story were quite decent, but the most impressive part was the powerful performances by two of the greatest African-American actors today - Award nominee Terrence Howard and of course Ving Rhames. I highly recommend this one, do not be fooled by the ratings.

This movie was the best movie i ever seen. All the action and fighting that was going on made it to be a movie thats in real life and its not like there is magic making it a fake movie. I hated it at first and then until i really watched it i fell in love with it. I even went out to get the second movie. You cant watch one without the other. Ving Rhames really played the part and played the part well. I cant wait to see of there is going to be a part 3. Anyone that has not seen the movie i would suggest that they do. What Ving Rhames did in prison to defend himself was amazing. The wise man that he met that changed his life really added to the movie well.

I'm shocked that this movie and it's cast didn't get more recognition or get nominated for Academy Awards. Terrence Howard, was magnificent in his roll as Darius. He showed TRUE emotions as James' son in this flick. Terrence was so REAL. Hunter Howard who played young Darius in the beginning of the movie -- Is he Terrence Howard's real life son? I believe Terrence has a son named Hunter, and this young man sure did look just like his Daddy. I loved this movie. I'm so stoked to see Terrence Howard finally get the respect and attention he's having now in Hollywood. Terrence deserves an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal as DJay in Hustle & Flow. If they had nominated him as Best Supporting Actor in Animal, he would have had a good chance of winning it as well.

The basic plot for this movie is nothing new - we've seen it in a number of other movies, such as "American History X". But I was willing to see it done again. I felt that an African-American perspective could make it more interesting. Sadly, they screwed up the execution for the most part. To begin with, this is a technically shoddy affair. I know it was a low budget movie, but I have seen other low budget movies that overcame their handicaps and looked technically strong. Here, the colors look murky, often the image on screen looks slightly out of focus, and the camera is CONSTANTLY close-up to what's happening on screen, sometimes so close it's hard to tell just what is happening. At times I thought this was a cheapie Canadian movie shot in Vancouver! It's possible that the movie could still have worked despite all that, but that's not the case. The script has a number of major flaws to it. We learn next to nothing about the "Animal" character before he is arrested and sent to jail, so it's hard to see his transformation, especially adding the fact that he supposedly (and magically) changes after reading just two pieces of literature. There are other script goofs, such as "Animal" having to stay in jail for several more months when evidence comes out that proves him innocent (and still having to see a parole officer once he's released.) Mostly, the movie is slow going, either in prison or when "Animal" gets out of prison. The dullness of this enterprise is the main reason why this sinks. Anything good to say about this movie? Well, I thought the acting was decent by everyone. Though they should have considered the casting more when it came to the son of "Animal". He's very light skinned when shown as a boy, but when he's grown up, his skin is significantly darker. This is typical of the lack of detail the filmmakers put into this movie.

I saw the movie in class and I have to right a paper on how I perceived it. I have taken the time to read a lot of your comments and a lot of you are right, it is an excellent movie. The part that got me is that a lot of people don't understand why things happen the way they do. You have the right to say that the upper collar worker doesn't go to the inner cities to buy drugs. I would have to disagree with you. I am from the city and see it everyday. I have lost so many friends to the streets. It is sad to say the least. But, the true sad part is this way of life is called "survival" where I come from. This film is to show us that it starts at home, to want better for yourself and your children.

Ving Rhames plays "animal" the toughest guy on the street. Naturally he ends up in prison where he meets an old con, Berwell, played by football great Jim Brown. Berwell tries to make him understand that all the hate in society is part of a conspiracy led by the rich and powerful to keep the poor and middle class fighting among themselves. Divide and conquer. THEY want us to hate blacks and whites and hispanics. And hate homeless and homosexuals and convicts. And hate muslims and jews and catholics. If we're busy doing that, then we won't hate the rich and powerful - the ones we should hate. Anyway, he explains this to animal and i'll let you watch the movie to see how much impact it has. I really liked this show but then, i like most prison movies.