i think the 1st portion is better than the latter portion, not because of the realism vs. idealism bullsh*t some of ya'll are talking about...

i just felt that the child-actors were that strong in this movie.

lil jamal (no pun) and lil salim did great acting jobs.

lil salim came off as that young-killer-in-waiting, looking for that daytime-action.

lil jamal was funny, endearing, and charasmatic throughout his time on screen.

i thought those two did a splendid job.

loved the music in the film, the story, how he knew the answers from his life experience (which isn't far-fetched nitpickers).

just a great movie and deserves all the attention it is getting.