John Singleton is not a delicate director and his strongest film is hardly subtle. Yes, the movie is overbearing in places and quite manipulative but on the flip side this is a cultural landmark. It captured a moment in time and spoke to a segment of society that often had been ignored. Singleton gives a memorable look at young African Americans in Los Angles and lays out their conflicts and dreams with obvious care and sympathy. Morris Chestnut and Lawrence Fishburne provide good performance based on Singleton’s sometimes overwrought dialog. It is with this film that Fishburne captured the essence of his wise mentor character that he has been taking to bank ever since.

There are cautions for violence, language and nudity. If these elements are of concern to you, this is a film you will want to skip.


Related Reviews:
As Good as it Gets (1997)
American Gangster (2007)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Siskel & Ebert
FilmHead

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