Movie Review: "Catch a Fire"

Last night I watched the new DVD release Catch a Fire. It's a very touching true story based in Africa about about a young African guy, Patrick (played by a not so well know actor Derek Luke), who's life is torn apart by the South African government and in particular an officer named Nic Vos who is played by Tim Robbins (the guy from Shawshank Redemption). Patrick is accused of being a terrorist and held a tortured by Nic Vos for what I would guess was several weeks. After such extreme abuse Patrick realizes that he needs to do something about the atrocities this South African government is doing to his people and ironically becomes a terrorist. The plot was not at all overwhelming or Hollywoodized. It was a very simple movie and probably could have been developed a little further (The plot jumps forward sometimes leaving you wondering what just happened) but I liked that they kept the story true rather than adding in a lot of things that really didn't happen, for the sole purpose of selling a few extra tickets.

The main point this movie tries to make is "WHO" the terrorist is, is all relative to who is passing the judgment. The South African government refers to these individuals as terrorists but when the South African government is later changed they are called hero's. It makes you realize that the terrorists in the middle east today view themselves no differently. In their minds they are heroes.

Give this movie a shot. Its not some crazy action thriller or anything like that but it does show you some of the atrocities that used to take place in South Africa and brings up some very valid philosophical points. I rate this movie 4 out of 5 stars.