Slumdog Millionare - My Official Review

I know, I know, you have been waiting with bated breath (not to be confused with bait breath, that would be gross)!
Waiting for what you say? Why the Official Review of the Oscar nominated movie:
Slumdog Millionaire.

Now, it is rated R, and I am not going to hide the fact that I did, indeed, attend a rated R show. In general, on principle, Splenda Daddy and I refrain from that rating group. However unless, it is Saving Private Ryan, The Passion, Schindlers List or Shawshank Redemption. Then of couse, not only do we see them, but most likely own them. But I digress.

Slumdog Millionare, is by far, the best movie I have seen since Dark Knight. Now granted, they are two different genre's and this brings up a point of clarification for me.
When I go to a movie, I go for one of two reasons. Either to be wildly entertained, and leaving the theater in a happy, great mood. Quoting all the best lines, and still laughing, chortling, snorting and giggling over the movie and it's characters. OR, to have experienced a period of time in a different world, that provokes deep thought and introspection on my part. That I leave the theater and find myself still talking about, thinking about, pondering about the movie several hours, even days later. That the story and/or it's characters have inspired me to think a little deeper and perhaps try a little harder to be better in some aspect of my life.

Whew, now that the disclaimer has been laid out, I want you to clearly understand that while Dark Knight fit both categories for me, Slumdog Millionaire definitely falls into the second. This movie is not for the faint of heart. It is a gritty tale of a young man, and his experiences growing up in the slums of India. Originally, I was under the impression that this was based on a true story, however, as I surfed around reading about it, I find no truth to that. It is however, controversial in it's display of children living in the Indian slums. In fact, that is likely one of the reasons for the R rating. That being said, the child actors were phenomenal. Amazing really. The boy who played young Jamal is extraordinary in his talent.
One can draw many life lessons from this film. How one reacts in trying circumstances. How two people having the same life experiences can make different choices based on those very experiences. How, no matter how awful or whatever terrible things happen to one in one's life, one STILL has the ability to choose how they will react and respond.
Here is it several hours later, and I'm still pondering all the life lessons and small messages the film offers.
Another key ingredient for a good film to me is the music. A soundtrack can make or break a film for me, and today, I was NOT disappointed. Might have to track it down at the Walmart.

If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it. Don't let the rating deter you, as it certainly has nothing more objectionable in it than most PG-13 rated flicks. Too many great lessons to be learned from it to let it pass you by.
It's up for several Oscars, and I certainly hope it garners Best Picture since Dark Knight did not get nominated (action flicks rarely, if ever do). Slumdog definitely would be worthy of it. Dev Patel, the actor who plays the adult Jamal, would be worthy of Best Actor as well. (However, Heath Ledger should win Best Supporting Actor - hands down - but again, I digress).

So there friends, you have it. My Official Review. Take it or leave it, I'm ending this with a two thumbs up; an I LOVED IT; a 4 out of 4 stars rating.