Review of Straight Outta Compton (2015) by Tvjerry — 27 Aug 2015

This is a biopic of N.W.A., the seminal gangster rappers who rose from the violent streets of Compton, California in the mid-80s. The first hour lays out their hood's brutal culture and their rise to national success.

The next 90 minutes (yes, it's 147 minutes long) watches as the 3 major members (Easy-E, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube) go their separate ways and struggle with their own success. Director F Gary Gray has succeeded in crafting an environment that effectively reflects their aggressive, intense world, while managing to create sensitive portraits of the main characters.

It's noisy, brutal and decadent, yet informative, empathetic and affecting.