Light it Up

(Fox)

Six inner-city kids, comprising a politically correct cross-section of race, gender, and culture, barricade themselves in their beloved institution of education and take a hostage (Forest Whitaker) after the resident cool teacher (Judd Nelson) is fired. When the kids demand to know why, an armed standoff with police ensues. Craig Bolotin's film addresses the plight of urban education, the bane of stereotyping, and the panacea of "Can't we all just get along?" But it bogs down in contrived melodramatic minutiae, and most of its rainbow coalition cast come off as caricatures. Only the pistol-wielding point guard (Usher Raymond) whose father was wrongfully shot by police and the abused son (Robert Ri'chard) who's afraid to go home actually illuminate the screen. Light It Up throws off a lot of smoke, but there's no fire.