Script could have been a little stronger but it was ...
925543
Script could have been a little stronger but it was entertaining, if not another 'getting to acceptance' film by Spacey.
1370885
It was fun. It read more like a screenplay than a novel, highlighting the strength of the dialogue. Although, the problems the character faced were overcome too quickly and without and tense complications. It seemed justified, but it almost lost me a few times. Hope this gets fixed in future books. Either way, it was a smooth read.
27048
While James Marsters is in this film it doesn't help the script all that much.  I did laugh a few times but I found myself during the moving wanting more action or humor or just plain anything entertaining.  It did have more of a budget than I originally expected but the movie felt like they tried cramming whatever humor they could muster and force it into the movie.  I didn't give it 1 star because I was able to sit through the whole thing but that might have just been because I hoped the ending might have been redeeming.  I'm not sure if I'd place it above or below the D&D 2 movie but it's right on par with it.
4161241
Hmm...very good acting by the great cast. Not the strongest of screenplays but not too bad. Still glad I watched it
3672224
A better ending would be nice not a different outcome but a little more finality was needed...in my mind anyway
3382062
Aron Spelling this was not one of your better writing scripts production Danny Thomas must of been sleeping on the job he had much better work out their  Some thing was lacking it per trade the racism of the time. It made the men look stupid and lazy were in fact they may of felt tired of being left behind from the fighting and just tired of the same ole s*** they must of faced every day of their back home. I liked the part were they stepped up in the end and got the job done but yet still abused bye the White soldiers. So true. I know every one was not that way even in WW2. The movie lacked Drama but being written in the 60s may be for TV it could of been a rush job it was good to see the new comers just starting out learning their craft. I enjoyed seeing them from the 60s again. It could of been Directed better may be it was just the budget they had to work with.
4239878
I knew going in that the reviews were decent at best, but I had some time to kill and so I gave 21 a shot. The acting was okay and the film wasn't as boring as I thought it was going to be, but the script could really have used some more work. Some of the dialogue was pretty bad (an R rating could have helped make it more believable). There just really wasn't that much to the movie. I feel that Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne were good, but they seemed to be waiting for something in the script worth the talent they both have. Not an overall waste, but I would wait for the DVD and save a few bucks.
3566384
I thought Shackled was well done for what it was. Obviously an indy on a budget, the acting was above par for this sort of thing. The script also kept me interested although it got a little confusing at the end. It was well-directed and I was not even bothered by the CGI fire. Would've been nice to see more of the countryside.
718329
Scarlett Johansson always shines and deserves a 5 star rating; however, the script was a little weak and the way the movie was cut together made it lack luster to watch.
4281694
With a little work it could have gotten a second star, but this movie looked as if someone called the guys together one weekend and said I have a thousand bucks let's make a movie.
4917807
The message was pretty good, it really resonated with me and some things I've been going through. However, the acting was a bit canned, some of the scenes were choppy and the ending felt abrupt. Not bad, not great. Although I hear it is better than the book, so there's always that.
3332172
This movie can be intense at times, but I enjoyed the acting.
167086
With the actors it had it could of been better. But was okay to watch and probably watch it again sometime
950357
Could have been ... more. But it still had some awesome in it!
1498929
This is a thriller. It felt like a movie script. I think this story would be better on the big screen. The story was good, but the character definition was a bit thin. It was basically a long chase scene. There were some very suspenseful parts.
1836206
Even though I give this film three stars it is a little better than OK. The concept is on point. The acting is OK. The script needs more work.  It's worth a viewing, maybe not so much owning if it costs more than $8.00 to own.

I like the concept of the film. The title has a double meaning. It is an issue that all races deal with. However, this is from the African-American perspective thus being geared towards this audience. I don't want to give any spoilers or plot details in case whoever reads this has not heard of the film. At heart it deals with not accepting who you are, not loving yourself as you are and thus lying to others to hide your true self. Any relationship built on a foundation of lies is going to crumble or implode eventually. When that happens all of those who are pulled into that lie will be devastated.

The main problem I have with this movie is that it deals with such a sensitive subject, especially within the black community, that the time allotted for the film was not sufficient to tell the story. I am not saying the movie needed to be a single three-hour session but maybe it would have been better served as a miniseries. It gives a little more time for the story to develop. Allow for better character development which probably would have resulted in better acting overall.

Living so close to the Philly area, the main plot of the movie has elements in it that I've heard rumors of over the years. One of the phrases I've heard people talking about before the movie even came so it kind of jarred me a little. This phrase may ring a bell with some or you can google it and see what pops up but it is a big clue, "You have a little dust in your eye. I can blow it out for you."

One last thing I will mention. The lead male character, the husband, made a major punk move near the end of the movie. It is something a lot of people try and end up doing once they are caught. It made me not like him at all. I had some compassion for him because he did struggle even through his selfishness but he at least seemed redeeming. When he tried to put others on blast because he'd been caught that was really weak of him. Not that these other people shouldn't be telling the truth but he wanted to tell their secrets so he would not go down alone. Proving that he was plain selfish in my opinion.
3251119
The script never really grabbed me but it was pretty solid overall.