Classic Revisited - Blood Diamond (2006)

Whats it about:
Sierra Leone is the scene of action. A plethora of characters and issues. Danny Archer is a smuggler who is looking to get out of the African continent by exporting one last diamond, which happens to be a big pink one uncovered by a fisherman named Solomon Vandy who is forced to work at a mine by the RUF, a rebel unit fighting against the Govt.

The RUF employs many slaves at the diamond mines, creates numerous child soldiers, brainwashes them and makes them commit heinous acts. Dia Vandy, son of Solomon is one such child soldier. Solomon is also separated from his family.

Maddy Bowen is a journalist who is looking to expose the atrocious activities that take place behind the export of these conflict diamonds. She needs authentic facts, figures and someone who would go on record.

Does Danny manage to find the diamond in an increasingly frantic environment, does Solomon get back his son, family and does Maddy muster enough evidence to expose the dark diamond underbelly? Watch this intense flick to find out.
                                                                     
Hits

• LEONARDO. With his dashing looks and supreme screen presence, he is a treat to watch. His performance, during his final moments on his last phone call with Maddy, is truly emotional. The tan in his skin, the colored hair and the accent are all in sync with his Zimbabwean origin. 
• Djimon Hounsou as Solomon Vandy is composed and desperate at the apt moments. A solid show. 
• Jennifer Connelly as Maddy Bowen is absolutely charming and is glorious with her expressions. Her romance with Leonardo, though not the conventional one, shines through thanks to Jennifer's longing and passionate eyes. The scene when she leaves Leo and walks towards the aircraft is unforgettable. 
• Kagiso Kuypers as Dia makes a mark in the scene where he emotionally reunites with his father. 
• The bonding between Danny and Solomon. Though initially strictly on a task basis, their final moments on top of the hill are touching
• A novel attempt to touch upon conflict diamonds and their impact on Africa. Child soldiers, the refugee crisis, the black - white conundrum etc etc. TIA as they say. "This is Africa"
• Marvelous African touch be it the locations or the BGM. 
• Frenetic action sequences with guns, bombs, explosions et all. 
• Touching BGM particularly in the climax. 
• Awe-inspiring top angle shots. Class camera work. There are in fact so many nature shots peppered across the movie. 

VERDICT

One of a kind. MUST WATCH. Leonardo leads a long list of highlights.