Review of Dope (2015) by Armando G — 02 Feb 2016

Dope is a smart comedy about a teenager who feels out of place in his neighborhood and school in the rough Inglewood area of Los Angeles, but then finds himself even more lost among the criminal underworld when he is forced to dispose of a large stash drugs hidden in his backpack by a local drug dealer.

There are also a few other criminal factions that want the stash and very funny, but dangerous, situations ensue. The main character of Dope, Malcolm, is an intelligent black nerd obsessed with 90s music and fashion with aspirations to attend Harvard.

He is played with incredible comic timing by Shameik Moore. Dope works as more than just a teen comedy because it constantly makes you aware that despite the comedy Malcolm and his friends are in real and immediate danger.

I can still relate to these characters because Dope builds them so incredibly well and good characters are always relatable.