Customer Reviews

Get Rich or Die Tryin'

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

Very loosely autobiographical, this film tells the story of the rise from hard beginnings of the wildly successful rapper "Fifty Cent," who plays himself. In the hands of director Jim Sheridan ("My Left Foot," "In America"), it also becomes a story of a man's struggle to find his father (or whatever his father symbolically stands for, his own identity perhaps) and to learn the value of family in his life. His mother is killed, and his childhood sweetheart taken away. Two characters who may be his father are feuding, and he ends up taking sides, ultimately becoming responsible for the death of one of them. As is usually the case in such hard luck stories, the hero Marcus manages to overcome long odds and win his way back to love and success.

As that plot summary suggests, the general story lacks originality, or a more flattering description would be: it has an archetypal appeal. I prefer the latter interpretation. I liked this filim better than the other reviewers here. To enjoy it you have to enter into the appreciation of rap music and specifically of Fifty Cent's deadpan mumbling style. He's a big overgrown kid, with a luminous bashful smile; at the same time, he is a dangerous gangster, a young man in his physical prime not afraid to trade on his charm. It's a charismatic combination, and Jim Sheridan does a good job of coaching Fifty Cent in the trick of conveying his innocence and his menace.

I also like this movie because it frankly crosses cultural lines, bringing ancient principles of storytelling and family loyalty to African-American gangster culture, interpreting this working underclass both to itself and to the rest of America. I think it's a big-hearted movie.

It's also a well made film. The violent scenes are tough enough to be believable without being gratuitous, and the film editing works effectively to underscore the movie's themes. In addition to Fifty Cent himself, who I think is charming on screen, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaie as Majestic (gangster boss and one of Marcus's possible fathers) is riveting. Terence Howard is also excellent in the role of Bama, Marcus's friend and manager, and Marc John Jeffries is well cast as the young Marcus.

I'm not a big fan of 50 Cent. I'm not even, particularly, a big fan of rap. But, I did like Eminem's "8 Mile" so I gave this movie a chance. It's got the same formula basically...Multi-platinum rap star stars in a fictionalized version of his life story, with an uplifting message, and an odd director. "8 Mile" was directed by Curtis Hanson (who has directed L.A. Confidential and In Her Shoes), this film is directed by Jim Sheridan who (in the past) has is Irish and white. You may remember Sheridan as the director of "In America." Anyway, it's hard to say what movie is better; "8 Mile" or this, both films are very different...Both films feature surprisingly superb performances. Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent plays Marcus. We meet Marcus as he and his crew rob a small store; They all escape, but Marcus is subsequently shot on his way back home. The film jumps backwards as we see Marcus grow up with his loving mother, who happens to be a drug dealer, who ends up being killed. Marcus is sent to live with his grandmother, but ends up dealing drugs under the watchful eye of Majestic (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaie). But Majestic is just small time compared to Levar (Bill Duke, who looks like a black mobster), who apparently runs everything. Anyway as Marcus grows up he forms his crew, consisting of Karyl (Omar Benson Miller, who was part of Eminem's crew in 8 Mile), Justice (Tory Kittles), and Antwan (Ashley Walters). But, putting aside the drug dealing and everything; there's gotta be a love interest which comes in the form of a childhood girlfriend named Charlene (Joy Bryant, "London"). When Marcus ends up getting arrested, his life is saved in jail by Bama (Oscar nominee Terrence Howard, Best Actor "Hustle & Flow") who becomes a friend of his and ends up joining the crew.

Roger Ebert said this film was "A film with rich and convincing texture, a drama with power & anger." That pretty much sums it up, but it's not cheap movie anger. 50 Cent is a gifted actor, you can see the pain in his face and in his eyes. Terrence Howard, as Bama, proves he's one of the finest actors around yet again. This guy holds your attention to the screen. Even if you don't like rap or you do like rap and don't like 50 Cent; This is a powerful, honest, and very entertaining movie.

GRADE: A

More like 3.5 to 4 stars...

Frankly I did not expect much from the movie, but when I went to see it in the theaters...I was suprised!! I read the critical reviews and saw that even Roger Ebert gave it is thumbs up. The movie is NOT Crash or Hustle & Flow, then then again it is not a John Singleton or Paul Haggis joint either.

50-cent is not an A-grade actor, but then who really expected him to be such. Apparantly the idiots who are bashing the film merely because they do not like RAP. If you hate RAP music, then why in the hell are you watching a RAPPER's film about his rise to riches in the RAP industry after breaking out of his hustlin' drug-filled post-teen years!! I mean D**m!!

I teach high school, and watched the film based on student's input...(I feel the need to keep in touch with the younger generation, YES). I can see how this might motivate a few of my "thugs" into reality. Yes, they idolize 50 (some hate him...snitch), but overall, the movie showed a positive moral message about WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. If you work hard at something positive, you gain something. If you work hard at doing something bad and illegal (easy cash), then you get what's coming to you...a quick DEATH.

I plan on buying the movie when it is released on DVD. I would put it right up there in league with "Paid in Full." Another movie that in which a rapper (Cam'Ron) plays a lead roll.

Ok where to begin.... to start off those who have negative things to say about the movie, about "oh it's so predictable" "50's acting isn't great' let's just put it out there. Movies that are based on the lives of others are usually predictable seeing as how they got to be who they are now. we knew 50 became a rich and famous rapper. How on earth did you expect the outcome to be different in the movie? and seeing as this is his first movie, acting will not be up to par with that of Will Smith. OK now that's done I can review this movie.

As you know this movie is somewhat based on the life of 50 Cent. the story unfolds as him looking back on his life. He narrates the entire movie, showing as to how he was brought up and life. the cast for this movie couldn't have been picked better. Terrence Howard acting overshadowed most of the otehrs by far. For the most part whenever him and 50 were in a scene together he took care of the acting for both of them. Not to say the other actors were bad. Joy Brant, Omar Benson Miller, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and 50 Cent's acting were all well done. Seeing as how this is 50's first movie you can't be to hard on his acting skills. It's just like making fun of someone who is just learning how to swim and is struggling.

The story itself was well played and written. Showing you how the drug world was operated and how people made it by day to day. And was only showed as predictable because it was based on a life people already knew about, even those who hate rap knew about 50's life for the most part. Many said it was a play off 8 Mile, and Hustle & Flow. It's be safer to say it was played off 8 Mile, but keep in mind that was also based on the life of someone everyone knew so the ending there 2 was predictable. Those who say it was a copy of Hustle & Flow also need to understand these 2 movies where being produced around the same time... so how much of a play off could it be when one movie was released into theaters only a few months earlier? Back to topic now... there were a few surprising scenes in this movie but in order to know about those yu need to either rent or buy this movie. all in all this movie did well on it's own. though critics gave this an unfair ruling. To be honest if yu hate 50 then you'll find ways to hate this movie. If you like him you will like this movie. If your indifferent then yu can really appreciate this movie for what it's worth. I myslef like 50. but i also enjoyed movies even before i heard him. I can honestly say that if I was indifferent i would like this movie. and once you see it you'd appreciate him more once you see what he went through. and if your one of those people who say "he should've been shot more than nine times for making this movie" your ignorant as hell! Stop hating on the fact he made money of his flow rather than his skills in rhyming, and learn to just appreciate the movie for what's it worth not who's in it.

I sat back and watched it, and i was like "hey...is this movie actually be'n a good movie...wow"

You look at the central character, and you might have reservations about rap music or atleast you might hate new hip hop being made these days, especially maybe from guys like 50 cent, one of todays new hip hop icons and poster boys.

And on top of that, when this film came out, it wasnt like he had been around from decades, like he was this tried and true rap legend. So a lot of questions come about when considering whether to even give this movie the time of day.

Is this some movie about some fake thug dude trying to look cool and glorify himself? or is about more than all that stuff, stuff we see common place with the likes of "rappers" like lil wayne and other b.s.

Well, i watched all of it, and it actually was a well done, likable, honest, heart felt movie. Its like the guys behind making this really took this project seriously, and delivered a movie you'd wanna own and watch again.

50's story, if you dont know it totally, is worth learning about, it will open your eyes a bit to who he is and where he came from. From a little boy, to rising rap star. A lot goes on in the movie. And though it wasnt as long as i would of liked, it went a long at a decent pace, though some events didnt take long to show the viewer, it didnt seemed rushed or anything.

50's acting gets the job done. I didnt think he was trying to act too hard or anything and the supporting cast really did a decent job, like Terrence Howard, who plays a friend of 50.

Its not a great great film. But for a movie like this about a 'thug', a rapper, it really did a good job. Probubly one of the best in this genre ive seen. And it has some memorable qualities about it aswell. Which i really didnt expect.

There is an emotional aspect in this film too, that really makes you care about the character, and that i didnt expect above all. So i think this movie is worth watching. Its decently put together, its NOT a cheaply made film by any means. It really is good. I enjoyed it.

First off to all you 50 Cent haters who keep posting neg reviews for his items, you can all eat a motherf***** d*** in hell.

Anyway I'm a big fan of 50 so I went to the cinema and saw this and it wasn't that bad. I reviewed Tupac's Resurrection a few days ago which I also enjoyed, but it's a documentary this is a real movie! Here is another rapper who started off living in the Ghetto hustling then went to rapstardom. If you like violent films than this is certainly for you, Like I said i'm a 50 Cent fan but you don't have to be a 50 Cent fan to enjoy this movie. It has music from the soundtrack played in it which is another thing you should checkout which is all great. Those of course weren't the songs he was singing back then but we all want to hear new 50. The film is like I said violent with course language, drug reference and sex scenes but it is very entertaining. I saw it twice at the cinema and now I think I will purchase the DVD and so should you.

Awesome!

The idiots who are bashing this, frankly are only doing so because they hate 50 or rap in general. This was still a good movie despite what people say and it was powerful, inspiring, mooving, and had a great message about following your dreams. It's frankly too bad that this only opended in 1,600 theaters. This film shows that nobody has to succumb to a life of crime and drugs. I also recommend those who are pursuing a career in hip hop to watch this as well. One of the best films of last year. Get the soundtrack too.

I loved this movie which was based on the life of the rapper 50 cent.

I don't normally watch rap or hip-hop movies, but I did decide to try this one, mainly because I like 50 cent.... clean versions of his music. I decided to take a chance on this movie, and I am glad I did. I have watched it 3 times now... and it seems to get better each time I watch it.

Total big waste of money. Was'nt the movie you wanted to see. The focus was on 50's rise to stardom-but it was a story about a gangsta who has really messed up before he was starting to achieve. The good life is NOT free. If you want to be rich-robbing banks won't do you. You'll be going to the big house, all right-Not in the Mansions of Beverly Hills, but to Prison! You can kiss your "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" goodbye. This Movie Sucks!