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Boyz 'N The Hood

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1 star:		(4)

 

 

Boyz N the Hood was and still is one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen. Shot entirely in South Central LA to present the movie as realistic as possible. The movie debuted in theater back in 1991 and had an immediate impact on almost everyone who viewed it.

The story about 3 friends growing up in the hood in South Central LA. Each one with their own individual struggle and goals in life. Doughboy (Ice Cube) ,who is a drug dealer, has been in and out of trouble throughout his young life and seems to be happy with his surroundings. Doughboy's brother Ricky (Morris Chestnut) a teenage father with bright hopes and aspirations of becoming an NFL football player ; and Ricky's best friend Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) who hopes and dreams of higher education and an escape from the dwelling of the hood. "The Hood" where saying the wrong thing or looking at someone the wrong way can end in death. Tre's father (Larry Fishburne) is a responsible, educated and strict father who makes sure his son stays on the right track in achieving his goals in life. Teaching him about responsibility and keeping your cool in adverse situations in order to make a thoughtful descision. Tre's resolve will be tested when tragedy strikes close to home and revenge and murder seem like the only solution.

Fantastic direction by John Singleton and equally impressive acting by all characters are the reason Boyz N the Hood was such a huge success. It was nominated for two acedemy awards (Direction and Screenplay.) ... You have to see this one for yourself you won't be sorry.

If you ever wanted a great example of pure cinema drama at its finest, "Boyz N the Hood" is it. It didn't take long for me to completely involve myself during the viewing of this film. It's powerful, sad, scary, and filled with heart. This is one of those films that completely takes you by surprise by giving you something that you weren't expecting at all. John Singleton's directorial debut doesn't fail to shine for one second in this human-drama powerhouse.

The film focuses around three friends who live in South Central, Los Angeles; a place where drugs, guns, and violence appears to be around every corner. The three friends are Tre, Ricky, and Doughboy. Tre's father has tried his best to raise Tre into becoming a real man; supplying him with knowledge and wisdom. Ricky has dreams of being a professional football player while his brother, Doughboy, is always getting into some kind of trouble, whether it be with the law or the neighborhood gang-bangers. In the end, the film is about choices and how every action can set off a chain of events.

In the exclusive documentary that's included on this 2-Disc Anniversary Edition DVD, John Singleton says that this was the movie he was born to make, and he's able to show us exactly that and nothing less. Making the movie was taking a pretty big risk, as there was nothing quite like it on the market; however, that didn't stop him from delivering an incredible debut that really stands out from the rest. The main misconception of this movie is that people are willing to automatically assume that the movie is violent and is only about violence (these being people who have never watched the movie) when in actuality, the film focuses more on the aftermath of violent acts rather than the actual acts being carried out. The main focus is always on the characters, and Singleton does a superb job of never losing sight of that. The story is delivered with undeniable care through the great direction of John Singleton.

Another factor that makes the film work the way it does is the superb cast behind it. Cuba Gooding, Jr. gives it his all early on in his career and immediately shows promise of a talented actor. Ice Cube proves that not only can he rap, but he can also act by giving life to his character of "Doughboy." Laurence Fishburne is amazing as Tre's father, as he gives an outstanding performance. Everybody else is great as well. This film really launched many careers of many of the actors that appear in this movie.

The 2-Disc DVD edition really does the movie justice as it's loaded with some very cool extras. The movie looks and sounds great. The DVD offers both widescreen and full screen versions of the film. Extras that are included on this 2-Disc Anniversary Edition are theatrical trailers, commentary by John Singleton, an exclusive documentary, music videos, and deleted scenes. The documentary was fascinating to watch and was extremely informative into what went on during pre and post-production. Plenty of goodies for DVD enthusiasts all around.

"Boyz N the Hood" is a touching and exhilarating drama that plays on all of one's emotions. The characters are very real and are easy to care for, and the story is well-structured and executed. I cannot think of a single flaw that I ran across while watching the film. It definitely has become a new favorite in a short amount of time. There is real power within the film that has a unique effect on us when we watch it, or at least it did on me. Definitely a film to check out if you have not already.

South Central L.A.: Where murder rates are five times the nationwide average, or in absolute figures, double the entire U.S.'s death rate for breast cancer (L.A. Times, January 1, 2004.) Where "I'll have my brother shoot you" isn't just an empty threat, and guns are passed from one sibling to another when an older brother goes away to "do time." Where owning a gun is a means of self-protection even for those who've always stayed clear of gangs. Where "where ya' from?" is an inquiry about gang membership, not geographic origin, and wearing the wrong colors can cause you to be "hit up;" resulting in violence, and more violence by way of retaliation. Where over the past 15 years the LAPD has accumulated a backlog of 4,400 unsolved homicides - roughly 3/4 of the city's total - because, as kids learn early, a bullet doesn't come with a name attached; and those who know the killer generally stay mum, either fearing reprisal or preferring to take care of their own, rather than leave justice to a police and a court system they've learned to mistrust. And where crimes like burglary only merit police attention if something actually was stolen, and are quickly sidelined upon the officers' summons to another murder scene.

South Central L.A. is the home of Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and his friends, "Doughboy" and Ricky Baker (Ice Cube and Morris Chestnut). We first meet them at age ten, when Tre's mother (Angela Bassett) sends him to live with his father Jason, a/k/a "Furious" (Laurence Fishburne), who seems better equipped to raise a son in a neighborhood like this. When we see them again they're seventeen, Tre and Ricky about to graduate from high school, while Doughboy has already graduated - from shoplifting to guns and small-time drug deals. And while Furious guides Tre towards moral choices, responsibility, and (self-)respect, Doughboy and Ricky are raised by a mother who lacks the wherewithal to steer them out of the ghetto. Yet, Ricky in particular is naively, fiercely resolved to make it out of there; with a football scholarship (provided his SAT scores are high enough) or if that fails, by joining the army. And in a poignant, spot-on conclusion it is ultimately Ricky who forces Tre and Doughboy to choose their own paths in life, to either be drawn into the ghetto's spiral of violence, or conquer their inner demons and extricate themselves from that vicious circle.

Upon this movie's 1991 release, several Los Angeles cinemas either refused to show it at all or hired extra security guards: That big, in a city that had recently seen the Rodney King beating, was about to be rocked by the Christopher Commission's scathing indictment of its police department, and was gearing up to the riots that would ravage its inner city the following spring, were fears of the reaction to John Singleton's partly autobiographical film. Yet, while "Boyz N the Hood" paints a starkly accurate picture of inner city life's daily realities, it in no way encourages violence - much to the contrary. That it's told from a profoundly "black" perspective is a given; and with that come charges that those of us with a more fortunate childhood often dismiss as the chip on many black people's shoulders - e.g., the notion that drugs, liquor and guns in the ghetto are tacitly encouraged by society's white-dominated ruling circles to keep inner-city minorities subdued. But while neither such charges nor their "white" response are the be-all and end-all of the problem, there is no question that drugs, alcoholism and guns *are* major issues in the 'hood, as are teen pregnancies and unemployment; and Singleton intelligently weaves all of these elements into a compelling picture.

Equally well-deserved as the praise for Singleton, who garnered Best Director and Best Screenplay Oscar nominations and several other distinctions, are the kudos to the movie's outstanding actors. Then-23-year-old Cuba Gooding Jr. came practically out of nowhere to give a fully accomplished, emphatic portrayal as Tre, caught between the lessons of ghetto life and those of his father. (Although this wasn't his first movie, he had never before appeared in a remotely as prominent role.) Morris Chestnut's naively determined football-hero-to-be Ricky is similarly compelling; and Laurence Fishburne noticeably didn't have to reach far for his "Furious" Styles: While based on Singleton's father, the role was created specifically with him in mind. So, reportedly, was Ice Cube's Doughboy; and he, too, is a perfect match, giving the teenage trio's most troubled member a depth clearly informed by his own South Central boyhood, although despite his songs' inflammatory lyrics, he himself stayed clear of gangs. Angela Bassett finally is the perfect foil for the movie's male characters, exemplifying a woman who through hard work gets as far out of the ghetto as conceivable and unlike her ex-husband doesn't avoid the moneyed upper-crust, but doesn't forget her origins, either, and is still perfectly capable of talking tough when challenged.

The movie's last words are Ice Cube's, both spoken as Doughboy and rapped in "How to Survive in South Central," underlying the closing credits. "Either they don't know, don't show or don't care what's going on [here]," Doughboy comments on a TV program about exotic faraway places he's seen shortly after experiencing the kind of violence that he knows will haunt him forever. And in his rap song, sarcastically premised on a guided tour to the "concrete Vietnam" South Central L.A. ("Have you witnessed a drive-by? Okay, make sure you have your camcorder ready!"), Ice Cube warns: "Rule number one: get yourself a gun ... 'cause jackers ... love to start [things]. Now, if you're white you can trust the police; but if you're black they ain't nothin but beasts. ... So don't take your life for granted, 'cause it's the craziest place on the planet ... This is Los Angeles." - "Boyz N the Hood" was released 13 years ago. It is as topical as ever.

Also recommended:
Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A.
G-Dog and the Homeboys: Father Greg Boyle and the Gangs of East Los Angeles
The John Singleton Collection (Boyz N the Hood, Poetic Justice, Higher Learning)
South Central
Menace II Society
Juice
Dangerous Minds
New Jack City (Two-Disc Special Edition)

I was reading some of the reviews posted below, and was irritated when this movie was so often referred to as a "gang" movie. This isn't a movie about inner-city gangs, folks! The main characters, played by Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Lawrence Fishburne, and his friends Ricky and Doughboy (played by Ice Cube) are NOT gang members. They are simply poor, urban youths trying to make their lives the best they can.

I can totally relate to Lawrence Fishburne's character, Furious, who amid the turmoil and suffocating poverty and despair of the ghetto, is trying to build a business that will improve both his family life and the neighborhood, as well as trying to keep his son (Gooding) on the straight and narrow path. Fishburne's character reminded me so much of my own father.

I watched this movie in high school, and was blown away by the frankness of the story-telling. It was not overly embellished by tremendous acts of violence, as is the case in most Hollywood movies about the inner-city, nor does it try to ignore the ugliness present in everyday life in South-Central.

The most heart-wrenching aspect of this film was the murder of Ricky, the USC-bound football star, who was gunned down in the alley the day he received the SAT result that would have allowed him to pass through the door leading out of the hopelessness of the ghetto.

Boyz N the Hood was the movie debut of african-amemrican movie director John Singleton.Anyone who've seen this movie can remember the stir it caused around 1991 when it was released, at a time when George Bush was president and ghetto riots occured in LA later in the Rodney King incident.

One can be rather amazed but such such a a stark but accurate portait of the hood and most impotantly what it is living in the projects.

I have rarely seen such as clever and brillant outlook on african-american issues in a movie.John Singleton here doesn't glorify violence or gangs, he address and demonstrates these issues by telling the story of three young black teenagers living in a rather harsh neighborhood : South Central LA.

What struck the most was how accurate this movie actually is.It doesn't portait mens who thrives with gang-violence but rather are trying escaping it, finding a better surrounding.

Not only Boyz N the Hood does a great job in acheiving this but it also manage to tell us meaningful issues such as single-parenthood, fatherhood, sex and education.

A strong duality also did struck me : scopes of imporoving your life and how it can be done.On one hand you've got one child who's got a caring and reponsible father, played amazingly by Lawrence Fishburne and other young mens such as Doughboy who live wihout knowing his father.Clearly Singleton has pointed out brillantly that men that have fathers taking care of them and loving them are more chance to suceed.In the end, Tre choose not to live within the gang-violence framework showing us how crucial a role-model father can be for his child.

Two different paths and two different families, those of Tre and Doughboy, demontrates how single-handly having a father can change their fate : life or death.

The daring finale where Tre choose his fate and doughboy avenge his brother is one of the most touching and emotionnal scenes I have ever encountered.I was emotionnally touched and deeply saddened by this scene (along when Cuba Cooding jr handles the gun to Lawrencne Fishburne).

The fact that Singleton also manage to capture the true essence of South Central LA when football wiz Ricky encounter his death is also one of the most daring scene.The music stops, Ricky runs trying to escape his death, gun's fired, the shooting happens and nobody can stop it : this is the realness of violence.You can't escape it.

More importantly, you are not witnessing the hood YOU ARE LIVING IT.It is truly breathtaking !!!

Such a clever movie should not be overlooked.

It has genius written all over it...

5 stars and tears to your eyes

In, hollwood we see epics like Ben Hur and The Godfather to Goodfellas.We consider these epic movies because they sweep us into a storyline full of dramatic tones.What makes an epic shine a good storyline and charachters that you can understand and relate to and care for.Is this Boyz N The Hood yes it is and much much more,this movie is a true modern day epic and truly sweeping an incredible storyline that will keep you involved.it's a very realistic masterpeice and frank look into the life of inner city youth and the battleground they must deal with everyday not on a war zone but in there own neighborhoods.

Powerhouse performances by Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ice Cube.This movie tells us what living in this world is today and the battles you must fight not only for yourself but for the ones you love.

A orignal film powerful and very real as well as touching and sad.Admist all the violence ,chaos of a war torn Los Angeles.A heartfelt film and the

unfortunate truth very real.

Boyz N the Hood is a nitty gritty look at South LA (formerly known as South Central LA) and is one of John Singleton's best pictures. Because it is so gripping and real. Cuba Gooding Jr. gives a stand-alone performance playing Tré Styles; a young man that is on the brink of self discovery. Most of Tré's childhood friends got locked up but Tré led a pretty square life. Thanks to the support of his father, Jason 'Furious' Styles (Laurence Fishburne.) Boyz N the Hood will keep you glued to your seats. It will make you think and it will make you laugh. But, most of all it will make you sad; because this is not just a movie. This is a true story.

Finally, "Boyz N The Hood" gets proper treatmant on DVD with a double-disc special edition. John Singleton's film debut was one of the first films to take a realistic look at what was really going on in many urban California neighborhoods at the time. Telling parts of his own childhood story, Singleton gave us some deep, social commentary mixed with some groundbreaking performances from a number of relative newcomers.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. is Tre Styles, a young black male growing up in South Central during the turbulent and violent early 90's. Under the watching eyes and guiding hand of his father, Furious (played brilliantly by Laurence Fishburne), Tre learns life's difficult lessons as with friends and family, he battles the harsh world that is out there on the streets.

"Boyz N The Hood" is one of the most movies that is hard to forget. Once you've seen it, chances are that you will want to experience it again. While later films in the genre exploited violent images and often glorified them for entertainment purposes, this movies touches on the emotion behind the violence. When there is violence even towards characters that we may perceive as "bad", the film shows us the honest consquences.

While there are many excellent performances here, it is first-time actor Ice Cube's portrayal of "Dough Boy" that really had audiences talking. No matter how many times I view the film's emotional climax, I always "feel" it. Cube's closing monolouge is just so genuine and powerful. As he walks off, fading into memory, we feel that loss. Dough Boy isn't some poor black sterotype that blows away people without thinking twice. He has human qualities. Even when he is doing things we don't agree with it, he is sympathetic. He is angry about the lack of love that he gets from his mother who praises his brother but shuns him. Despite fighting with his brother, he still runs to his rescue, moments later. Dough Boy is portrayed in a way that he can be hard-edged but we still can relate to his suffering. That seems to be what is missing from many of these hood films that try to duplicate "Boyz".

"Boyz N The Hood" was and still is one of the most important films in the genre. This DVD offers a lot of things that many fans have been waiting for such as an audio commentary, a featurette looking back at the film's making, and two deleted scenes. While the first omitted scene is a rather pointless back and forth between Gooding's Tre and his mother, played by Angela Basset, the second scene featuring the movie's stand-out characters Dough Boy and Furious is excellent. This DVD is definetly worth picking up for any true fan of this epic film.

"Boyz 'N The Hood" is one of those movies that will touch you because of its realism and message. Also, it was a very influential movie, after this film appeared, a lot of similar movies came in; John Singleton directed a powerful film like if he was Spike Lee.

"Boyz 'N The Hood" tells the story of three black kids growing up in a dangerous neighborhood: Tre, Ricky and Doughboy; each one of the three kids is very different from the other, but they love and respect each other. The second part of the movie shows the kids now as teenagers: Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and Ricky (Morris Chestnut) about to graduate from high school, and Doughboy (Ice Cube) as a trouble teen with gangster attitude. Tre is being educated by his father (Laurence Fishburne), Ricky is about to get chosen by a college due to his football abilities, and Doughboy along with other friends is about to choose the path of a gangster. But a tragedy will interrupt the life of one of this boys, and the rest must choose: get revenge and ruin their lives or go on with their lives.

The realism of "Boyz 'N The Hood" may be its best quality, all the performances are very good, with young talents that later would be famous. Once in a while is good to see this kind of movie, don't limit yourself to popcorn movies. Go see "Boyz 'N The Hood".

The problems of inter-city culture, and what it's like to bea black youth growing up in South Central Los Angeles, is addressed bywriter-director John Singleton in the hard-hitting "Boyz N the Hood," starring Laurence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding Jr. The story centers on young Tre Styles (Gooding), whose parents are divorced, and as a troubled youth at age ten, is sent by his mother, Reva (Angela Bassett) to live with his father, Furious (Fishburne), in South Central. The story then jumps ahead seven years, and we find Tre still living with his father. Furious is a man of principle, a decent man with high ideals, and he's done a good job of teaching Tre how to be a man, and how to survive without slipping through the cracks to become just another statistic from the `hood, without hope of ever amounting to anything. Furious is the calm in the eye of the storm, navigating a culture steeped in a seemingly never-ending cycle of violence. Then when Tre is about to graduate from High School, and with his father's guidance is looking toward college, his best friend is shot and killed. Tre wants to fight back; and suddenly, he must make the decision that will determine the path the rest of his life will take. Singleton successfully captures the alienation of an entire community from the rest of the city, and the atmosphere of violence that permeates the lives of all who live there; the incessant presence of the police helicopters a constant reminder, lest they forget for even a moment, where they are. The anguish of the mothers who fear for the lives of their children, along with the frustration of the apparent futility of trying to make a change. In Tre, Furious, and those close to them, Singleton paints a profound picture of what life is like for everyone who lives within that few square miles that is South Central Los Angeles. A grim portrait, to be sure, yet in the end he manages to tone it with a positive sign; a glimmer of hope that there may yet be a light at the end of the tunnel for those born and raised in the inner-city. Fishburne gives a dynamic performance as Furious Styles, the voice of reason and truth amid the turmoil. He knows who this man is, and his purpose; and it shows in the subtle command he takes whenever he is on the screen. Gooding, too, gives a remarkable performance, aptly conveying the complexities of young Tre, the pride mixed with confusion. The terrific supporting cast includes Morris Chestnut (Ricky), Ice Cube (Doughboy), Darneicea Corley (Keisha), Tyra Ferrell (Mrs. Baker), Redge Green (Chris) and Dedrick D. Gobert (Dooky). Singleton is to be commended for having the courage to make a truly thought-provoking film. For this is not a movie about gang-bangers; this is a film that has the guts to ask important and significant questions objectively, without copping an attitude. About the cultural bias of the S.A.T.'s; why there's a liquor store or a gun shop on every corner in the `hood, and not in Beverly Hills; and the lack of even the attempt at creating the symbiotic relationship that would benefit all who live in and around the city of Los Angeles. This is an important film that goes far beyond the scope of mere cinema, and one for which Singleton will be remembered; it is definitely a movie that should be seen by all.