By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: America Magazine
Higher Learning is John Singleton’s third movie of his career following the success of Boyz N The Hood and Poetic Justice.
Tupac Shakur worked with Singleton in Poetic Justice. It was the only time they worked together, but Singleton had Shakur in mind to be the lead actor in Higher Learning.
Omar Epps would replace Shakur in the role of Malik Williams, a varsity athlete at Columbus University.
It’s been 30 years since Higher Learning was released in theaters on January 11, 1995.
The movie tackles many issues and themes. We see anger between racial groups, assaults on campuses, channeling one’s voice, and making a difference.
Laurence Fishburne reuniting and working in another film with Singleton was terrific. Fishburne plays the character of Professor Maurice. He’s one of the best characters in the movie. The professor has the mentality of “get the work done and don’t have a victim mentality.” He’s a straight shooter and no BS. He expects valuable effort and to become a better man and woman.
In any movie with Fishburne, you must watch it because his aura gives you the impression that it’s a father or uncle or mentor/teacher that’s speaking to you. Actors like Fishburne, James Avery, James Earl Jones, etc, give you the feeling that if they talk, you listen.
The cast is loaded with talent, including actors and celebrities who weren’t that well-known at the time, like Tyra Banks, Michael Rapaport, and Jennifer Connelly. Aside from Fishburne, Ice Cube worked with Singleton again for this project.
The movie is not as good as Boyz n the Hood, but it’s important and makes you feel sad, angry, and a little laugh. It’s a powerful movie, and certain things about it still resonate to this day in the world.
Rapaport’s performance as Remy is outstanding. If the script had been a bit more consistent, Rapaport could’ve been nominated for Supporting Actor.
Grade: 3.9 out of 5 stars
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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