“A sharp, evocative and compelling biopic about N.W.A.”
Straight Outta
Compton, directed by F. Gary Gray, is a two-and-a-half-hour bio-epic of
pioneering hip-hop group N.W.A. (Niggaz With Attitude). Its name taken from the
title of the group’s groundbreaking 1988 debut album, this panoramic film is a
fun, angry, sad, and inspiring story of a music icon and their songs which
revolutionized human realities.
The movie begins in 1986 with the blossoming friendship
between O’Shea Jackson a.k.a. Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) and aspiring DJ
Andre “Dr. Dre” Young (Corey Hawkins). They convince their drug dealer
neighbor, Eric “Eazy-E” Wright (Jason Mitchell), to produce and fund his own
record label which later comes to be known as Ruthless Records. With words
written by Cube, beat produced by Dre, and performed by terrified Eazy-E, the
track “Boyz-n-the-Hood” becomes a big local hit. This attracts the attention of
Jerry Heller (Paul Giamatti), a veteran rock manager, who then offers bigger
promises to the trio. Recruiting MC Ren (Aldis Hodge) and DJ Yella (Neil Brown, Jr.), the hip-hop group N.W.A. is born.
Heller connects the group to Priority Records who provide them
resources to create their very first album – the “Straight Outta Compton.” The
album becomes a phenomenal success but it all come with a price. Suspicious and
angry with Heller, Cube leaves the group and pursue a solo career. Former friends
turn rivals which results to rap battles and public brawls. Later, Dre also
leaves and produces his own label, Death Row, with Suge Knight (R. Marcus
Taylor). Eventually, realizations dawn on Eazy-E and just when he reunites with
his friends, an incurable sickness will be his final test.
Straight Outta
Compton is a masterful adaptation of a complex history. It may be another
underdog story but it depicts its material in its crudest and most honest form.
It portrays how musicians and artists change the world around them, but the music
in the film is the type far from being sweet and ass-kisser. Deriving wisdom
from the streets, the songs are brutally honest and shamelessly profane. They are
violent, undiplomatic and fearless.
With their album “Straight Outta Compton,” N.W.A. told their
thuggish life in South LA through music. Later forming a subgenre known as “gangsta
rap,” their songs are filled with rage and anger. Subtly, it is also enlightening
and inspiring. With its violent nature, it is no wonder it earned a “parental
advisory” tag and a “letter” from the F.B.I. The film is sincere in its
depiction as it shows both sides. It does not sugar-coat its wild, unfriendly
themes or make the rappers heroes with their struggles.
The group’s 1988 song “Fuck tha Police” is prominently
featured in the movie. It is energetic, groovy and high in spirit. The story
behind the song is one of the film’s most chilling moments. While taking a
break from recording, the group is humiliatingly searched and taken down by the
local cops. Heller comes to his talents’ rescue but the police only ridicule
the existence of hip-hop music. Motivated by the incident, the group put voice
to the abuse experienced by black Americans in the hands of law enforcers and “Fuck
tha Police” was born. As seen in the movie, the song became an anthem in many
riots and demonstrations.
The film may be unrepentant in showing rage and violence,
but it also has moments of tenderness and quiet. When Ice Cube launches his own
career, the remaining group are quite appreciative of his songs. When Dre loses
his brother to death, the others are sympathetic. And when Eazy-E confesses his
battle against HIV, his friends-turned-enemies-turned-friends-again are quick
to lend support and love.
The characters are put life with the vibrant and compelling performances
of its young cast. Undoubtedly, they exude tremendous chemistry and contagious
camaraderie. Hawkins is warm as Dr. Dre and Jackson Jr., the real-life son of
the rapper, is volatile as Ice Cube. Mitchell is a revelation as he holds the
film’s best performance. Through his ups and downs, he is dynamic, brave and sweet
as Eazy-E. Long-time actor Giamatti is effective as the part-villain,
part-angel Heller. He is fishy at first glance but his sincere willingness to
help is also not unacceptable.
Straight Outta
Compton is a relentless and brutish piece of art. It is sharp and effervescent,
honest and shameless, stirring and tender. Fan or not, one can’t help but
admire the vivid lives of the men behind the revolutionary gangsta rap.
0 comments:
Post a Comment