|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 Boyd N the Hood Sep 24, 2008
Boyz N in the Hood is one of my favorite all time movies, when I saw how
cheap the price is on Amazon I ordered it. John Singleton did a wonderful
job with this movie. I love all the actors and actresses in the movie,
they were so believable playing their parts. Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ice
Cube really delivered. I would highly recommend this movie!!!
 Honest and riveting; not what I expected at all... Sep 22, 2008
I was blown away by `Boyz `N the Hood' mainly because I really wasn't expecting anything particularly smart. I mean, in all honesty can you say that the films title or descriptions would ever lead you to believe it would have some validity? It does though, have a lot of validity. Not only is it a well acted (for the most part) film but it is a really socially important film about race relations both with those outside your race, but more importantly with those within your race. Exposing the hatred and senseless violence that pollutes certain communities, `Boyz N' the Hood' really rises above most films of this nature (take that Spike Lee) and creates a film that is emotionally investing and in the end one that is respectably sincere.
The film tells the story of young Tre Styles who goes to live with his father Furious after one school screw-up too many sends his mother over the edge. Growing up in a neighborhood less than admirable, Tre learns a lot from his father's guiding hand about bettering himself and not becoming what his friends were destined to become. As he grows up alongside brothers Ricky and Doughboy, Tre is able to see how having a father has really kept him separate from his friends and has helped create a respectable heart in him. His views on women and drugs and gang violence differ drastically from that of his close friends for they had no strong arm to guide them, to take care of them and thus mold them into better people.
The film flows almost without much of a plot for quite a while. Tre is falling in love with his girlfriend but is afraid to consummate that love for fear of having a child. Ricky is striving to get a scholarship thanks to his talent as a football player. Doughboy has created a successful life of crime for himself and is constantly waging war with a rival gang. All the while Furious is continuing to instill in his son wisdom beyond his years, that is, until the final act of the film roles around and no amount of wisdom can prepare Tre for the choice he has to make.
What I respect about `Boyz `N the Hood' is that it is realistic and honest, as apposed to a film by Spike Lee or Tyler Perry which are almost shameless (at times you can remove that word almost) in their attempt to sugar-coat things. `Boyz `N the Hood' is gritty and sincere, even when it's falling short of its own standard.
The acting is for the most part very well done. Ice Cube is one of the only singer-turned-actor examples to think of that has really paid off. His portrayal of Doughboy, especially in that final scene, is very strong, mature and heart touching. Laurence Fishburne is wonderful as Furious as well. I usually find Laurence to be somewhat monotone and stale, but here he is fantastic. Morris Chestnut is very real as Ricky, touching upon his own charisma to create a touching and lovable character.
Then there is Cuba Gooding Jr. In all honesty, when his name came up on the screen my brother-in-law said "he's not cool enough for this movie" and I had to agree. He seems very out of place. I've never been a fan of his, although I thought that his Oscar winning performance in `Jerry Maguire' was wonderfully outlandish, and I felt that his turn here was forced and uninteresting. He didn't bring any of the spunk and fervor he brought to `Jerry', granted, this was five years before that performance. His breakdown after his near arrest was very over-the-top and is the films one real poor moment, for it stabs at the credibility of the film in general. The scene is understandable in its construction, but Gooding's delivery of the material is horrendous.
In the end I have to say that this is a film you really should see. It is socially important for it touches upon truths that so often get swept under the rug for a chance at shifting blame. This is a film where individuals stand up and say "we can make a difference if we really want to" and encourage others to do the same. I will admit that knowing how sincere the film turned out to be I do wish that they had explored a little deeper the darker side of things, maybe fleshing out Doughboy's side of things a little more, but honestly, `Boyz `N the Hood' leaves little to be upset about.
Which Path Would You Take? Aug 21, 2008
Boyz N The Hood is considered by many as the definitive "Hood" movie and is even more astounding to learn that Writer & Director John Singleton was only 23 when this was released. The greatest aspect of this movie is that it's a film about acceptance when focusing around the main character Tré. He's a representative for those of us who have all told lies about our lives simply to fit in with the crowd. We can all relate to the Tré character which is what is easily one of the main reasons for this films popularity.
Set in South Central L.A. "Boyz N The Hood" focuses around three friends with very different aspirations in life.
"Doughboy" played by Ice Cube is a man who's become the typical kid growing up in the hood and succumbed to the Drink, Drugs and crime.
"Ricky Baker" played by Morris Chestnut is the all American athlete who's looking to win a sports scholarship to USC and make something of his life.
"Tré Styles" played by Cube Gooding Jr. is the kid in the middle being pulled by both sides. Tré is lucky enough to have a father who's showing him to do what is right and always take responsibility for his actions.
In this film, while in the hood with his old school friends, Tré is seriously confused about where his life is going. Although his father is teaching him about the right way to live his life, Tré is being pulled by "Doughboy" to follow the hood lifestyle which is glorified by "Doughboys" code of honour. This is truly realistic piece and as an early role for both Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding this was a great way to start an acting career. This is easily Singletons greatest work with which he has yet to gain the same level of success. It's an enjoyable movie that every film fan can sit and watch all the way through. This isn't a typical genre specific movie, so if you're not usually a fan of the "Hood" type movies then don't worry it's not the typical "Hood" movie
RIICCKKYY!!!!!! Aug 01, 2008
i just recently watched this movie again for the first time in years and enjoyed it all over again.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 I must have missed something? Jun 23, 2008
Well everybody told me to watch this movie, so I did. I live in the Netherlands, Europe so you know. I have been to compton once by mistake and south-central by choice. So if you do not like my review blame it on the fact that I am European and I do not know what I am talking about.
The movie overall strikes me as totally non realistic with flying helicopters and firing smg's all the time. Sure it is not the best neighbourhood to live in, but come on it is not a warzone.
The story is told already like a thousand times. A good kid winds up in a bad neighbourhood. He almost goes on the criminal path but... rappapa big surprise surprise he does not he goes to college and so does his his girl. His friend also understand this choice after shooting 3 people in cold blood.
In all its to much over the top for me. I think the movie tries to be a drama but for me it is more like a parody on itsself. The key message being having a good parent the father in this case will avoid getting youre kid being a gangster. So this movie unwillingly blames the black community for their own gangsters. They try to blame it on "the man" in the part where his father takes his son to compton and explaines how the system works. Well you must be a complete moron to believe the theory that the system wants to get drugs to the afro american community so they can kill themselves. The point in all bad neighbourhoods is poverty and that little o so important message is being missed here! Such a shame.
Probably the white community in Beverly Hills is shocked by all the N, B, and H words and I can imagine them thinking "yeah this is really really realistic, o my gosh" Well if you want something realistic watch a documentary!
What anoys me the most is the afro-american hating cop, what is the chance of meeting one of those? Sure its the frustration of the producer which is forced upon us. But I really did not ask for him to do so. Also there is a lack of background about the individuals in this story, why did they turn out the way they did? Cant blame everything on the parents, that would be to easy.
I must say the acting is not that bad. But that is the only positive thing I can say about this movie.
|
| | |
