Review of Straight Outta Compton (2015) by Joanna B — 21 Oct 2015
In the mid-1980s, the streets of Compton, California, were some of the most dangerous in the country. Five young men translated their frustration and anger of growing up in that outwardly volatile environment by channeling it into brutally honest beats.
Armed with the most powerful weapon they had, their music; Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Dj Yella and MC Ren (O'Shea Jackson Jr, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr and Aldis Hodge respectively) rebelled against the abusively authority and forming the N.W.A, giving an explosive voice to a silenced generation.
Straight Outta Compton follows the meteoric rise and fall of N.W.A. An astonishing story of how one group revolutionized music and pop culture forever the moment they told the world the truth about life in the hood. Even if that meant inadvertently becoming the poster-men for igniting a cultural war that still sadly burns today.
An artfully crafted musical biopic to rival the best of the genre, Straight Outta Compton is an obvious passion project. Whether its content is 100% true to events may be under question by some, the tone and editing of what must have a been a heavy history makes it appealing on a broad scale.
Outstanding across the board, each actor embodies their character with amazing fluidity, greatest of all being O'Shea Jackson Jr. making his acting debut in playing his father. Paul Giamatti is also a stand out as Jerry Heller, the groups manager.
The Verdict: Potent and visceral, SOC hits every note with fists held high.
Published: Canberra Weekly.
Date of Publication: 10/09/2015.
This review of Straight Outta Compton (2015) was written by Joanna B on 21 Oct 2015.
Straight Outta Compton has generally received very positive reviews.
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