The Blood Diamond [2006] Movie Reviews on CinemaClock

Based on what I read before seeing Blood Diamond, I thought it might be overly long and graphically violent, with its political message taking a back seat to action and pyrotechnics. I was very pleasantly surprised. The film is so action-packed, well-paced and involving that it didn't feel long at all. The violence, while often brutal, is not gratuitous and is integral to the story. The film is also a very effective dramatization of the atrocities committed because of blood diamonds and the ongoing struggle to stop them. The portrayal of child soldiers is particularly brilliant and revealing. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly have an easy, natural chemistry reminiscent of romantic pairings in many classic films. Some of the wittiest and sharpest lines of the generally clever script are shared between them. The two leads, DeCaprio and Djimon Hounsou give excellent performances. There is a reason Scorsese keeps giving DeCaprio lead roles in his films. And the performance by Kagiso Kuypers, the young actor who plays Hounsou's son, is astonishing. Highly recommended..