I Saw That!

One woman's opinions about popular entertainment.

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Amateur boxing coach, Christian (but not so heavenly-minded that I'm no earthly good) singer, writer, self-defense advocate, childfree. feminist www.smartwomenboxingtraining.org

Monday, August 17, 2015

Straight Outta Compton (2015)



There were five guys in the popular and influential rap group NWA.  The movie only focuses on three of them: Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), and the late Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell).  I'm guessing that could be because they are the most well-known of the group.  But I kept wishing that MC Ren (Aldis Hodge) and DJ Yella (Neil Brown Jr.) could have been shown more than just supporting players.

The movie is what it is.  It starts off strong, showing that yes, Eazy-E was dealing drugs.  Dr. Dre was a club DJ working for peanuts, and getting grief at home from his mom about that.  Ice Cube was writing lyrics, but he was involved with another rap group at that time.  Dr. Dre makes a deal with Eazy-E, to bankroll a recording with Eazy-E on the microphone, and brings the group together.  

The record becomes a hit, and then enters Jerry Heller (Paul Giamatti) who makes a deal with Eazy-E to make the group more popular.  But like another rap song said, "More money, more problems".  The movie then goes slightly downhill, covering artists feeling taken advantage of, egos clashing, partying to excess, drug use, etc., but not making those scenes feel fresh.  There were also times the story felt like it was jumping around, especially during the last half of the film.

Others involved in NWA's history make an appearance in the story including Snoop Dogg (Keith Stanfield), Tupac Shakur  (Marcc Rose), and Suge Knight (R. Marcos Taylor).  O'Shea Jackson Jr., who plays Ice Cube in this movie, is the son of Ice Cube (real name, O'Shea Jackson Sr.).  

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