Review of Straight Outta Compton (2015) by Joseph J — 24 Jul 2016

Plot: Straight Outta Compton is a 2015 American biographical drama film that chronicles the rise and fall of the Compton, California hip hop music group N.W.A.

Review:

Straight Outta Compton is a 2015 American biographical drama film that chronicles the rise and fall of the Compton, California hip hop music group N.W.A. The film borrows its title from the name of their debut studio album and its title track. Straight Outta Compton was directed by F. Gary Gray (Director of Friday and The Italian Job) The cast includes O'Shea Jackson, Jr. as Ice Cube, Corey Hawkins (Non-Stop, upcoming 24 television series) as Dr. Dre, Jason Mitchell (Keanu, Kong: Skull Island) as Eazy-E and Paul Giamatti (12 Years a Slave, Cinderella Man) as N.W.A's manager Jerry Heller. Among the film's producers are Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Woods-Wright, with MC Ren and DJ Yella as creative consultants. The film was released on August 14, 2015, and received positive reviews from fans, critics, and is about to receive a positive review from me.

This is actually the same director who was supposed to direct Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but he left that project to tell this story and I'm glad he did. I mean when you pass up Marvel money to do another film, you better be passionate about that project. I believe this is a story that should be told. It may make some people feel a little uncomfortable with the topic, language, sexism, and violence. However, this film is about art, history, reality, freedom of speech, and simply survival. If this is a difficult topic for you, don't go in judgmental (or don't see it if it upsets you). I would at least give it a chance. Even if you are not a fan of this genre of music, the story alone is worth investing yourself into, and it's entertaining. The viewer can learn about goals, music, history, fame, money issues, business, dreams, and more in this one film.

The strongest part of this film is the cast. These guys were like the Justice league of gangster rap music. O'Shea Jackson did an exceptional job playing his father Ice Cube. He really is a copy and paste of Ice Cube. Almost everyone in this film is so well rounded with character development and depth. You see the good and bad side of everyone. The entire cast does extremely well, especially Jason Mitchell portraying Eazy-E.

I do believe the first half of the film is the best. It's the origin story, the N.W.A. assembles! Then it becomes the typical biography drama film. It feels a little rushed at the end, and like they had to wrap everything up quickly. Such as Eazy-E getting sick, I think they could have built that up a little bit more, make it more sympathetic and have him be the emotional centerpiece. Also, the actor who plays Suge Knight is straight up horrifying. He could really play a supervillain. He wore a red suit looking like the Devil, flared nostrils, heavy breathing, big bold eyes, muscular. Even the real Suge Knight even ran somebody over with a vehicle, so he practically is a crazy super villain. If I were casting director, I'd hire him to play The Kingpin in Marvel, and he couldn't even have to act, just be himself. The actor playing Snoop Dogg, was a little off in my opinion. He really didn't look like Snoop Dogg, and came off like a guy trying to do a Snoop Dogg impression. But Snoop really is just a cameo.

So these are my final Bitchin' Buddha thoughts on Straight Outta Compton. I really like this movie, even though it is a lengthy film I wanted more. Even if you are not a fan of this type of music, I think you can still find some entertainment value in it. I like the cast, directing, acting, music from Dr. Dre's The Chronic and 2001 albums, reminded me how good and real rap music use to be, etc. I would love to see more bio pics on musicians and music groups. I always thought Brad Pitt could play Kurt Cobain. Maybe a Rancid movie, Tupac, Michael Jackson biopic next? I would fight it. I believe Straight Outta Compton gets a straight up...

4 out of 5!

Thank you for reading/viewing, and I hope you have an amazing day as always. :).