Cause the boyz in the hood are always hard, come talking that trash, we'll pull your car, knowing nothing in life but to be legit, don't quote me boy cause I ain't said shhh"¦ "“ Easy-E.
You know the words; you know the artists, but you don't know the story, and F. Gary Gray brings the story of NWA to life, from their humble beginnings in Compton, to their meteoric rise, to their eventual break up and the rise of Ice Cube and Dr. Dre as the solo artists we all know and love. The movie shows how the culture around them during the late "˜80s and early "˜90s shaped the voice of the group.
Autobiographical films like Ray or Walk the Line can be difficult to make because you are dealing with historical figures that are beloved, and, as a viewer and possible fan, you are hoping that the movie does the subject justice. Straight Outta Compton is no different. The great thing about this premiere is that it was full of fans of the group and of the various artists within said group. Watching everyone cheer and nod their heads along with the beats was awesome (and yes, I was cheering and nodding along with the songs). The songs are iconic, and watching the origins of the songs, the group, even the members was done in just such a fantastic way that the film can be viewed multiple times. There was also some pressure placed on director F. Gary Gray because he's from Compton, and he directed Ice Cube's early videos and his movie Friday. If you are from Compton doing a film about the biggest, and only, group to come out of Compton, you only have two options "“- do it right or don't come home.
Speaking of pressure, there is always a wee bit of pressure when it comes to representing your family name, and O'Shea Jackson Jr. had quite the mantle to carry-- he was playing Ice Cube. Jackson does a phenomenal job as his father. He looks and sounds just like him (I'm sure many people might be saying "well no duh" but I've seen kids who look nothing like their parents), but I digress. He did a fantastic job in that role. Actually, when you watch the movie, everyone in NWA was just perfecting cast. Corey Hawkins as Dr. Dre and Jason Mitchell as Easy-E were perfectly cast. Mitchell looks, sounds and acts just like Easy-E, and while Hawkins doesn't look exactly like Dre, his acting makes you forget that fact. Paul Giamatti as manager, Jerry Heller, is just so great in his role that even when you think you know him, you don't, but you do, and it's still a fantastic performance. Giamatti is good in every role he's ever been in, and this is no different.
When the whole audience is singing and nodding and cheering and clapping, you get the inkling that you are in the right movie. This is a film that transcends race and gender and age and brings everyone together in a fantastic manner. Fans who grew up during that time will remember many of the outside factors that helped to create this band. NWA almost came back together, but Eric "˜Easy-E' Wright died from AIDS before the band could re-form, and Ice Cube and Dr. Dre knew that you couldn't have NWA without Easy-E, but the movie shows the fire and the passion that was there, and the fire that could have been there.
This movie fires on all cylinders. You have great writing, acting, directing, cinematography, etc. It just works. It took fans of the group back to their heyday, and it will make fans of those who might not know all their music. It covers the highs and the lows, of which there were many, to show just what these guys, these men, these friends, these brothers, went through. Go watch this movie and prepare to cheer, clap, nod your head, sing along, but don't expect to be bored. The movie starts like a roller coaster, it starts off slow to establish all the characters and then once you get past that, just hold on and enjoy the ride. Cause as the song goes, Straight outta Compton, crazy muthaf*cker named Ice Cube"¦ have fun with that in your head, and for that, you're welcome!
