Great Film overall

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

A horrific triple child murder leads to an indictment and trial of three nonconformist boys based on questionable evidence.This film really paints a strong picture of the stereotypical backwoods Southerner. Were people picked for this purpose, or is this an accurate depiction of West Memphis? The religious views are very interesting, especially what people think devil worshipers do (and the fact they believe in literal devil worshipers).You have to love the fake doctor who testifies that black t-shirts and black fingernails are signs of devil worship. Having grown up in the 1990s and being one of those who wore black, I know exactly what it is like to be a target of that level of ignorance.This really brings the idea of "Christian forgiveness" to the forefront. Rather than forgive or turn the other cheek, these folks talk of revenge murder and defecating on graves. And they pass around rumors of "testicles in jars".Were the West Memphis Three guilty? I have no idea. Probably not. But either way, this says so much about a community.

As far as the film goes, it is well made and keeps you interested.**SPOILER** I watched this movie thinking that three innocent boys were found guilty of murder and was interested in finding out how that happened. By the end of the movie I was convinced these boys actually DID commit these crimes. First of all there was a confession, even though one or two details were not clear. Second, one of the boys admitted it to a fellow jail mate. Third, at the end of the movie, when they are found guilty, there is no emotion from them. As if they knew it was going to be a guilty verdict. Not the reaction of an innocent person, who would show some emotion. Asked one of the boys, "what will you do if you are found innocent?" and he said "found innocent???" as if that thought didn't cross his mind, as he had confessed to the crime and he in fact WAS GUILTY.It's also despicable how they try to blame the father of one of the murdered children. They believe one man could overpower and control three eight year olds, rather than three teenagers doing it? If there is a flaw in our justice system, it's not that they were found guilty, but that they were set free.

I was really looking forward to watching this. I recently got a lot into documentaries, and I felt as if this one had something fascinating and unusual.This was filmed with what we call a great "economie de moyens" : it is denuded of many, many effects that documentaries commonly overdue: breathtaking music, scenic shots, narration...Nothing here is meant to look better or worse then it is : everything is displayed in all its confusion, ugliness and nonsense. The directors worked hard to come out with a very objective movie. Although you understand that they are on Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley's "side", they do not try to moderate the other "side"'s pain and loss. If anything or anybody looks suspicious or even grotesque at some point of the movie, it is not because it was caused by the film makers :it just happened that way.By reading reviews and comments over this movie, I realize that a lot of people unfortunately pick one side and speak badly about the other, as if there was good and evil in a debate like this one. Things are not that simple. It is absolutely understandable that after the murder of your children, you feel the desperate need to find someone to blame it on : the parents are not monsters for believing in the guilt of these three teenagers. And please, please try to see further than the end of your nose : most of the people that have interest in witchcraft do not practice it. A lot of murderers do not wear black and do not listen to metal music. A lot of non-murderers read Stephen King novels and wear Dimmu Borgir t-shirts.This is an intelligent movie that deserves to be watched intelligently and respectfully.

When I started watching this movie I was aware of the story it presents and I knew it would be frustrating for me to watch it as I also knew the outcome. What I didn't know was the impact it was gonna have on me. I mean any person with half a brain can realize that the whole thing was a witch hunt. They needed someone to blame and the kids who dressed in black appeared to be the best choice at that moment. I can honestly say the movie is very impartial. There is no "Michael Moore character" in this movie explaining stuff or influencing you. The perspective is truly objective and they are only showing the facts. So it is a documentary in the true meaning of the word. Before watching the movie, I saw a comment by another user who ended with "sadly there is nothing we can do about it". Believe it or not, this is one of the few movies that actually made me want to take action, to do something to help those kids. So I tried to figure what I can do to help. What I am trying to do is make it easier to help for other people who have experienced what I have and simply think justice must be done. In short, if you wanna help and get involved with this, www.wm3.org is the place to start. It's the website where you can find updates on the case as appeals are still currently taken place and where you too can try to make a difference. Enjoy the movie!