Review of Boyz n the Hood (1991) by Caesar M — 09 Mar 2013

Last year I saw the crime film "Cidade de Deus" (City of God in English) and felt it honestly captured gang violence in a general level. However, "Boyz n the Hood" focus is smaller therefore working where it needs to the most. On a personal level anyone can relate too and a representation that does not paint those involve in these crimes as immoral killers.

Boyz n the Hood tells the story of a group of childhood friends growing up in a Los Angeles ghetto. This plot tackles internal issues like violence, drug abuse, and poverty that remain present in everyday life. Unlike many similar films of it kind, it does not blame a specific person or figure for the cause of violence. Instead it thoughtfully chooses to examine the environment. This fictionalize story is realistic since what most of these films fail to grasp is you don't have to fall victim to your poor environment. The film showcases it characters can rise above and make something for themselves. They don't have to be violent to survive where they live nor are dehumanize for what they do. They do fear for their life as their is constant Helicopter and shootings present at night reminding them of that. Even the gangsters are not presented as blood hungry territorial hounds. They are presented as those who fallen victim to their environment and might not realize it before its too late.

Even if you think the main message comes out as too heavy handed it brings other social issues. One exchange of dialogues deals with sex. In this short exchange of dialogue the message is brought up that any male can make a baby, but only a real man can raise a child. This message remains relevant for we might know someone or heard about a male with left his girlfriend because of it. It also contains stereotype, but the ones that do exists in these kind of environments. The biased cops, the mother who loves one child more than her other, and the infant who have to live with their drug addicted parents. Some might think the messages might comes as preachy, but the issues are real and presented in a manner that will make you care about them.

Laurence Fishburn disappears in his role of Furious Styles. Fishburn portrayal is memorable for his shared scenes with Cuba Gooding Jr. who plays his son Tres Style. The two interact with exactly how a father and son should. They act convincingly with each other being able to give key development without feeling tact on by the writing. The supporting cast consisting of Ice Cube, Angela Bassett, and Morris Chestnut are all award worthy. Ice Cube in particular showing off more of his dramatic acting in role that requires him to emote different range of emotions. The cast are versatile in their own roles capturing the most of their character to become them.

Boyz n the Hood delivers a good message and presenting real issues. It never forces them down your throat nor tells you to give up and follow a life in the criminal world. No matter how awful or violent the world can be Boyz in the Hood tells us we can rise and make something better for our self.