Much of Light It Up has a familiar feel. But there are enough redeeming insights to make the time you spend at this school worthwhile.
75
Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Inquirer
Heartbreaking and sometimes dazzlingly effective, the film still has flaws -- most of them in a too-often-maudlin script.
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
If I can't quite recommend the movie, it's because so much of the plot is on autopilot. The dialogue spells out too much that doesn't need to be said.
60
Film.comTom Keogh
Film.comTom Keogh
Look to the cast as the best reason to see this film.
50
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
It's a bit of 60s idealism wedged in what basically looks like a hip-hop music video.
50
Dallas Observer
Dallas Observer
The real find-- is Rosario Dawson, who has appeared to good effect in previous smaller roles ("Kids," "He Got Game") and just about walks off with the movie.
40
The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder
The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder
Turns out to be a pretentiously righteous drama that drowns any claim to serious attention in a sea of superficial characters.
40
Slate
Slate
Singer Usher Raymond earns praise as the leader of the group, but the rest of the cast goes largely unnoticed.
38
New York PostLou Lumenick
New York PostLou Lumenick
Light It Up would be a strong candidate for the year's most irresponsible movie - if it were remotely believable.