Review of Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) by Spencer S — 24 Nov 2014
Indicative of the kind of comedy the Wayans brothers would make for the next decade, this film threads spoofs through a story about racial discourse. At the time films about the realities of hood life ("Friday," "Boyz n the Hood," "Menace II Society,") were ubiquitous.
Taking the template of "Boyz n the Hood," the film follows Ashtray (Shawn Wayans) as he goes to live with his father and learn the tough reality of a life of poverty, gang warfare, and the endemic problems in his community.
The film spoofs all the mainstays of the genre, including the one hopeful college bound student's demise, the love interest having many children, and the violence of gangs (and their elaborate tattoos).
The film mostly pokes fun at the genre, but also has interesting gags, in-references, and silly slapstick that's all its own. It peters out near the end, because it needs to tie together all the plots, but overall this is a perfectly goofy spoof.
Many memorable lines and characters make this a must watch comedy gem, and remains a pivotal start for the Wayans brothers comedy saga.
This review of Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) was written by Spencer S on 24 Nov 2014.
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
