Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
2.5/4
Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear.
Matthew Brady - wrote on 08/05/2014
Nelson Mandela: "Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon". The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match. The acting in the movie was brilliant and the directing by Clint Eastwood was nothing short as fantastic. But movie goes drag in most of the scenes and the movie is kind of forgettable to be honest.
Rating of
3/4
Very inspiring!
MovieAddict - wrote on 05/12/2012
The inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country. Though the movie is primarily about South Africa's challenge in winning the rugby World Cup against insurmountable odds, I found the story of Mandela's emergence from prison to prominence and power equally as fascinating. During the first half of Invictus, we follow the character of Nelson Mandela on the following days to his election as a President; however, on the second half, the screenplay changes its focus and it becomes a sport movie, dedicating most of the time to a very important rugby match which was very exciting. Enlightening, heartwarming, Freeman was superbly cast and the character of Mandela …
Rating of
3/4
Inspirational sports movie with some politics
Ichabod Crane - wrote on 01/15/2010
A good sports film that also inter splices politics well. The film shows Nelson Mandela as wanting to unite the country under the South African Rugby team. It lays out why this is important to the country and how Mandela does it incredibly well. After it lays that out though it does actually become a standard inspirational sports movie but a well done one. This movie works because it does not take unnecessary sides and merely gives all the characters their due. I particularly likes the details of the security details with the blacks and whites interacting there. It is not perfect though because rugby as shown in the film can be somewhat boring to me anyways and the use of computer graphics is distracting and does not seem to be Clint Eastwood forte.
Rating of
3/4
Eastwood, Freeman, Rugby - A Winning Combination
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/14/2009
If you're expecting a biopic or a really deep look into Nelson Mandela, you'll probably be disappointed. However, as long as you're not seeking any revelations, and enjoy the film for what it is, you will be impressed.
Clint Eastwood has rarely disappointed as director. I think Invictus is another victory. First off, the casting is impeccable. I can think of nobody better than Morgan Freeman to play Mandela. It's a tailor-made role. He brings the right inflection to play the leader of a country teetering between its new-found freedom and its simmering tension. Yet some of his best scenes are when he's having a good time - dancing, making a friendly wager, cheering for his team - even Mandela has a light side and it's great to see that Freeman can be serious but still have a playful …
