In his dazzling leading-role debut, Usher Raymond (Billboard's "Star Of The Year") plays Lester, the troubled teen who has finally been pushed to his limit. Taking matters into their own hands, Lester and his friends hold ... more »a police officer (Forest Whitaker) hostage and barricade themselves inside the school. Negotiator Audrey McDonald (Vanessa L. Williams) struggles to maintain peace while tensions simmer inside. As the crisis builds, "The Lincoln Six" discover talents they didn't know they had as their fight to expose dismal classroom conditions gains national attention. Starring "a cast of gifted newcomers" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times), this powerful and uplifting film lit up audiences around the nation.« less
Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL Reviewed on 5/30/2024...
An interesting look at the "stand your ground" theme. Lots of actors at a young age.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
K. K. (GAMER) Reviewed on 9/10/2023...
A feel of the Negotiator but with kids. Usher Raymond and Rosario Dawson are in their youth if you are a fan.
Movie Reviews
One of the best movies ever!
Steven White | nowheresville TN | 06/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow,I am in awe of this genious movie.I guess it's kinda controversial(they take a cop hostage and lock themselves in the school to prove their points) but that only adds to the brilliance of it.I thought Usher was just a talentless teen idol but this movie changed my mind about him.He really is amazing as an actor.It was also a nice suprise to see my favorite actress Sara Gilbert appear in it.As always,she is superb.This movie speaks a lot of truth.Its also full of hope.Hope that maybe someday people will understand that age is just a number.Maybe they'll realize that racism gets us nowhere.THAT'S what this movie is all about.As one of the characters said,"All we want is respect!".Thats what its all about.Standing up for your beliefs.I highly reccomend this fabulous movie to anyone.It changed my life."
A view from the other side
Billy Halsey | San Diego, CA USA | 09/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Too many times in recent years we have tuned into the news only to hear of another school shooting. In this movie, we see it from the point of view of the students involved. This brilliant film from Craig Bolotin, the director of Miami Vice, shows us how good people can suddenly find themselves involved in bad situations. Because of a self-serving principal and a cop with too much attitude, six high school students take the cop hostage and ask for better school furniture, textbooks, etc., as their demands. As the movie plays on, we see that each character is very deep and complex -- each with her or his demons, each with redeeming qualities. The beginning of the film, until the time that the cop is taken hostage, seems contrived and there are several inconsistencies with the film, but overall, it is definitely worth watching."
"Light" makes you think!
Dave | Philladelphia, PA United States | 01/23/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I saw "Light It Up", the first thing that popped in my mind was "these kids have a point". A few weeks ago I read about two towns from California. One was a "rich" neighborhood, and the other was known as a "poor" neighborhood. The rich neighborhood was currently having a pool put into their school. On the other hand, the poor neighborhood had a school full of 3,000 students, but they only had 1 toilet. After a teacher got all of the children in a class to take pictures of all of the bad qualities of the school. These pictures were printed in the town paper, two weeks later construction was started to fix the school up, just as much as the town to the side of them! In "Light It Up", the teens take a different approach to fix the conditions of the school, they still got their point across. This movie was very insperational, and the web site of it explained how to quote "light it up" for your school and/or neighborhood. The teens that act in this movie portray a real image of youths today. The directing and drama in this movie is extroidenery."
187 fans, it's time to Light it Up
Daniel Lukoff | Bend, Oregon United States | 10/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Light it Up brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "Ride or die", as Lester, a student at Lincoln High in New York, takes the school, along with five of his classmates; some friends, some merely acquaintances. Regardless of their relationships at the beginning of this whole ordeal, they all had one thing in common; they had been branded as gangbangers and deadbeats, before they even had the chance to be themselves.The sparks begin to fly when Mr. Knowles (Judd Nelson), a highly-respected, well-liked teacher is fired, after becoming a hero.Driven by the demons that plague his mind, and the memory of his father, Lester Dewitt (Usher Raymond) was only trying to protect his friend Ziggy (Robert Ri'chard), a young artist, from a security officer named Jackson (Forest Whitaker), when the officer loses his gun in the struggle. The gun goes off, and leaves Jackson with a wound to the leg.And so it begins. Lester grabs up the gun, and rounds up the five other students who witnessed the struggle, and who knew what really took place, taking Jackson hostage.Hours will pass... the city will watch... the students will be heard, because this is their time.Light it Up is sure to grab your gut and twist it with an unrelentness fist. You will become the characters portrayed, and you will live those hours that killed the demons in their minds, as you sit back in the comfort of your own, cozy living room, and Light it Up."
Great. Just Great.
W. Rice | Texas | 02/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, usually I'm not into movies like this. My DVD collection consist of fantasy, comedy, and a little bit of horror. However, this one I just happened to see on tv. It was a instant hit with me. It speaks the truth, and the die hard facts behind it all. It shows you to respect your fellow man, and not just jump to conclusions. It doesn't matter if your black or not, you will feel for this movie. I ain't black, and I did. Acting is great as well.
And I just wanted to note, whoever it was that gave it 1 star seems to be a minor that just likes writing bad reviews. Do notice that all the other reviews are good."