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Higher Learning

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Higher Learning (1994)

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Reviews Counted:29

Fresh:14

Rotten:15

Average Rating:5.1/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 19 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: The third installment in John Singleton's trilogy about South Central Los Angeles, HIGHER LEARNING examines mid-1990s university politics from racial, sexual, and economic standpoints. At fictional... The third installment in John Singleton's trilogy about South Central Los Angeles, HIGHER LEARNING examines mid-1990s university politics from racial, sexual, and economic standpoints. At fictional Columbus University (where a statue of the explorer stands witness to the dominant culture's supremacy), three freshman arrive to find a campus ready to explode. Malik (Omar Epps) wavers among the influences of revolution-preaching super-senior Fudge (Ice Cube), no-excuses Professor Phipps (Laurence Fishburne), and his motivated girlfriend Deja (Tyra Banks). Kristen (Kristy Swanson), another neophyte, is thrown into sexual confusion when she meets a charismatic lesbian, while the socially inept Remy (Michael Rapaport) can only fit in with the local skinheads. The storylines cross and complicate as each character tries to discover what's right, but the potential for violence grows with every wrong choice they make. Singleton recruited an emsemble of considerable talent to flesh out the complex plot, which allows him to deal efficiently with a breadth of concerns without preaching. [More]

Starring: Kristy Swanson, Omar Epps, Michael Rapaport, Jennifer Connelly

Starring: Kristy Swanson, Omar Epps, Michael Rapaport, Jennifer Connelly, Ice Cube, Tyra Banks, Laurence Fishburne, Busta Rhymes, Regina King, Cole Hauser

Director: John Singleton

Director: John Singleton
Screenwriter: John Singleton
Producer: John Singleton, Paul Hall, Dwight Williams
Composer: Stanley Clarke

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jun 5, 2001

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Higher Learning

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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Energetic, uneven but engaging.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
David Armstrong
David Armstrong
San Francisco Examiner

Despite excesses and missteps, there is still a wealth of digestible, thought-provoking material in Higher Learning.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The plot would all mean something if Singleton offered his characters any engaging conflicts--they all seem recycled from movies of the week.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
06/12/01
Pete Croatto
Pete Croatto
Filmcritic.com

A flawed endeavor... but still an entertaining and thought-provoking film.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
05/25/02
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

Thought-provoking.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's not as dispensable as Singleton's sophomore effort, Poetic Justice, but it's a long way from the assured freshman storytelling of Boyz N the Hood.

comment Comment
01/01/00
John Hartl
John Hartl
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An extremely mixed bag, combining lyrical images and sharp-edged drama with dull cliches and contrivances that border on the ridiculous.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

With Higher Learning ... Singleton, as writer-director, tackles larger issues with more insight and confidence.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bruce Kirkland
Bruce Kirkland
Jam! Movies

Higher Learning presents a profoundly uninspired and misguided piece that seems prompted by little more than a desire to make a Big Statement.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Mick LaSalle
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

...John Singleton's third (and best) film.

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
08/01/03
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

Singleton has made all the right political moves given his complicated circumstances, but he hasn't really made a movie of them.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Richard Schickel
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

For every persuasive insight John Singleton brings to Higher Learning, his thoughtful but flawed movie about multiculturalism and racism, he throws in something equally disappointing.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Higher Learning is often clichéd, unfocused and didactic. But Singleton has a goal most of his contemporaries have given up on: He wants to make a movie that makes a difference.

Full Review Source: Rolling Stone | comment Comment
05/12/01
Peter Travers
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Presenting problems is not the same as dramatizing them successfully, and as strong as his message is, Singleton has not found the best way to deliver it.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
02/13/01
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Singleton deserves praise for shining the spotlight on some of today’s biggest social issues; it’s just unfortunate that the laws of cinema ultimately blunt some of his messages.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
09/10/01
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
Apollo Guide

A film which surprisingly embraces the very stereotypes and attitudes which on the surface it claims to reject.

Full Review Source: Cinematter | comment Comment
01/01/00
Madeleine Williams
Madeleine Williams
Cinematter

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Neil Martin
Neil Martin
Palo Alto Weekly

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Joey O'Bryan
Joey O'Bryan
Austin Chronicle

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Scott Renshaw
Scott Renshaw
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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Latest News for Higher Learning

December 08, 2005: Singleton to Drive Paramount's "Convoy"
The Hollywood Reporter brings news of director John Singleton's next project, an auto-intensive action thriller called "Convoy." More...

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