We've seen a plethora of message films throughout time that Hollywood has been producing, and all of them have a lot to say, whatever the issue at hand is. And as our society unravels more and more with violence, drugs, prejudice, and an ever-growing economy spiraling on the rise, we do see and will continue to see more of these films. So it's no surprise that "Straight Outta Compton" is so timely considering Ferguson, Mo., Baltimore and Cleveland happening just recently.In 1987, five young men, Ice Cube/O'Shea Jackson (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), Eazy-E/Eric Wright (Jason Mitchell), Dr. Dre/Andre Young (Corey Hawkins), Dj Yella/Antoine Carraby (Neil Brown Jr.), and MC Ren/Lorenzo Patterson (Aldis Hodge), using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and intense anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back where it all began, this film tells the true story of how these cultural rebels-- armed only with their lyrics, swagger, bravado and raw talent-- stood up to the authorities that meant to keep them down and formed the world's most dangerous group, N.W.A. And as they spoke the truth that no one had before and exposed life in the hood, their voice ignited a social revolution that is still reverberating today.
Others to round out the cast are Marlon Yates Jr. as The D.O.C., R. Marcos Taylor as Suge Knight, Carra Patterson as Tomica, Paul Giamatti as Jerry Heller, the guys' manager, Alexandra Shipp as Kim, Elena Goode as Nicole, Keith Powers as Tyree, Dre's younger brother and Keith Stanfield as Snoop.
This was directed with obvious intensity and grit by F. Gary Gray ("Friday" '95, "Set It Off" '96, "The Negotiator" '98, "A Man Apart" '03, "The Italian Job", '03, "Be Cool" '05, "Law Abiding Citizen" '09) plus videos interspersed. With the work Gray has done, he, and Lee Daniels, for that matter, are basically the newer Spike Lees of today, because of their social causes that they tend to lean toward with their films they direct. The anger, frustration, wildness that this director was able to bring out of the actors was simply amazing. It was written by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff ("World Trade Center" '06) plus a short, and it was based on a story by S. Leigh Savidge, Alan Wenkus and Berloff. Like in other reviews, it does amaze me how well this was written considering the little experience these two have with theatrical screenwriting. It does show that talented writers do exist in Hollywood--they just need to be used more often. Before entering the multiplex, the trailer more or less leads its audience toward a totally one-sided view on the racial and first amendment rights of individuals, but with all objectivity, this film covered issues with both the guys here and the authorities. When you're in the guys' corner, all of a sudden they'll do or say something that leaves one perplexed and visa versa. And as far as the first amendment rights of these guys in being able to convey their ideas in a very coarse, intense way is certainly something all Americans have in this country, however if we convey our issues, be prepared to count the costs involved, because not everyone is necessarily going to embrace your way of thinking. Freedom of speech and expression is not free. One earns this right using responsibility, and if one is attempting to change society culturally, one has to be patient and realize there is going to be a potential rift in the social fabric before noticeable change can ever take place. This film delineated this well.
This is a film that is not for the mass audience appeal. It has a lot to say if one can endure a LOT of four-letter words, a certain amount of nudity, drugs and extreme intensity. Hey, these guys are not angels, however their point here is to not be treated unfairly just because they come across as looking like and acting like gang-bangers. Get ready for a virtual roller coaster ride.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: R 147mins.
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