Omar Epps,
Kristy Swanson,
Michael Rapaport,
Jennifer Connelly,
Ice Cube
... see more 
This drama examines the personal, political, and racial dilemmas facing a group of college freshmen as they begin their first semester at Columbus University. Malik (Omar Epps) is an African-American ... read more
Directed by: John Singleton
Release Date: June 1, 1994
DVD Release Date: July 3, 2001
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Stats: 940 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (940)
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January 25, 2010a gripping story of race relations at the university level. thankfully most universities are beyond this, as is much of american society, but there are still places in the u.s. where this sort of tragic ignorance remains and this is a great film to address the issues. many only... read more
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October 16, 2009I remember in late '94 or early '95 when I and about 5 other students were helping out a teacher outside of class in her room, and she asked what our favorite movie is currently. Two said "Higher Learning," two (one of them me) said "Speed," and one said something else. I never s... read more
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February 27, 2009John Singleton's ability to delve into multi-issues and stories creates a superb drama in the most unusual of settings - a university campus. Headed by a superb cast including Michael Rapport, Jennifer Connelly, Ice Cube, Omar Epps, and Kristy Swanson, Higher Learning visualises ... read more
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January 27, 2009In this movie we learn everyone is an ignorant dick and Singleton will never make a better movie than Boyz N Tha Hood.
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February 6, 2007Amazing and emotional story of new students at the institute of Columbus University with every black, white, Jew and lesbian neatly slotted into his or her place.
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October 4, 2006Frequently attacked, but I'm keen on it. Perhaps pretty stereotypical, and seems to attribute nearly all of the racist problems to a difference in music, but still it's worth your while. Scuppered in places (AWFUL fight sequence, some disbelievability), but good performances help... read more
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March 16, 2011Higher Learning is a very bold film, that shows the paths of 3 college freshman and how they develop socially during their first semester in college. They start out as a group of naive kids, who don't even understand themselves, and develop into different personas that fit the gr... read more
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January 23, 2011This movie follows the university life of several multicultural students. There is high tension on the campus because of racism and violence. Young girls get raped and racial fights occur very often. This movie shows how wrong things can get if such issues aren't worked through a... read more
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September 29, 2009'Higher Learning" is Thought-Provoking, and realilisticly fresh.
This film is packed with a great cats, and shocking statements, and powerful subjects, that "Singleton" makes work perfectly.
"Four out of Four" Stars.. -
August 8, 2008Another great epic film by John Singleton, and again he casts Lawrence Fishbourne who's an amazing Professor in this college film based on three new freshmans' entering the college life on a universtity campus. They endear racism, prejudism, rape, sexual confusion, and peer press... read more
Critic Reviews
July 6, 2010
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
October 18, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety
Higher Learning has a great many things on its mind, which immediately places it in a rather exclusive category of American films these days. Full Review
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Everyone here, from beer-swilling white fraternity boys to rap-loving black students harassed by the campus police, can be judged at face value. Everyone is exactly what he or she seems. Full Review
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Higher Learning is often clichéd, unfocused and didactic. But Singleton has a goal most of his contemporaries have given up on: He wants to make a movie that makes a difference.
February 13, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Presenting problems is not the same as dramatizing them successfully, and as strong as his message is, Singleton has not found the best way to deliver it. Full Review
January 1, 2000
John Hartl, Film.com
It's not as dispensable as Singleton's sophomore effort, Poetic Justice, but it's a long way from the assured freshman storytelling of Boyz N the Hood.
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Despite excesses and missteps, there is still a wealth of digestible, thought-provoking material in Higher Learning. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Singleton has made all the right political moves given his complicated circumstances, but he hasn't really made a movie of them.
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
For every persuasive insight John Singleton brings to Higher Learning, his thoughtful but flawed movie about multiculturalism and racism, he throws in something equally disappointing. Full Review
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Higher Learning
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