Skip to main content

Straight Outta Compton (2015)


Straight Outta Compton is a biopic about the LA centered rap group NWA. Directed by F. Gary Gray and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Director F. Gary Gray isn't necessarily a household name. Though if one were to look up his credentials, you'd start to appreciate him more. He's directed The Fate of the Furious, Friday, and my favorite The Negotiator. The direction in the film has little problems but there's nothing special. Which is why I thought this film didn't get nominated for direction or best movie. The writing, oddly enough, was my biggest complaint.

The movie itself is about NWA, but for the character of Ice Cube, played by his son O'Shea Jackson Jr., has a deeper connection since Ice Cube and F. Gary Gray actually worked together on Friday 20 years ago. Other than looking like his father, Jackson delivers an amazing performance to the point I forget that's not actually Ice Cube on the screen.

The best performance I saw was from Corey Hawkins. He played Dr. Dre in the movie and does a wonderful job showing just how difficult it was for him to make it to where Dre is today. Hawkins didn't really do much before this film, but since then he went on to have a role in Kong: Skull Island and the TV series 24: Legacy as Eric Carter. Look for him in the upcoming Spike Lee movie called Black Klansman.

Jason Mitchell plays Eazy-E and he plays the part well with a few exceptions. There are scenes between himself and their manager, Jerry, that just feel out of place due to the dialogue. Jason Mitchel hasn't done much in the past but reunited with his fellow NWA actor, Hawkins, in Kong: Skull Island.

Paul Giamatti has been in too many movies. He's such a skilled actor that his performance in this movie, however good, suffers. Whenever he's on screen I'm constantly thinking: "Hey, that's Paul Giamatti." Is there such a thing as being too recognizable?

I didn't know the story going in, only bits and pieces. Mostly since I wasn't born at the time. It's a good history lesson and deepens your appreciation for the music genre.

Result: A- (I highly recommend this for any movie enthusiast)




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

F1: The Movie (2025)

F1: The Movie follows a veteran driver coming out of retirement to mentor a young rookie while trying to prove he still belongs on the track. Directed by Joseph Kosinski , known for Top Gun: Maverick and Tron: Legacy , the film is clean, polished, and loaded with style. But with Jerry Bruckheimer producing, it leans more into spectacle than subtlety. You can feel the Bruckheimer DNA in every dramatic slow-mo, thunderous soundtrack cue, and pit-lane explosion. That’s not a bad thing. It just feels more like his movie than Kosinski’s. Brad Pitt , fresh off Bullet Train and still riding the wave from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , plays the aging driver with charm and edge. He’s believable behind the wheel and sells the physical and emotional wear of someone who’s spent too long chasing speed. It’s one of his more grounded roles in years, and he pulls it off without trying too hard. Damson Idris , known for Snowfall, of which I own the comic , plays the rookie and brings a mix of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

K-Pop: Demon Hunters (2025)

K-Pop: Demon Hunters follows a girl group who balance battling demons by night with pop stardom by day, but the concept ends up more exhausting than exciting. Directed by first-time director  Maggie Kang , best known for being in the art department for  The Lego Ninjago Movie , the film leans hard into a hyper-stylized, neon-soaked aesthetic but forgets to bring anything fresh. The animation is polished, but the visual style feels borrowed from better films. The pacing drags even during the action scenes. It is more concerned with selling attitude than building stakes. Arden Cho , known for Teen Wolf and Partner Track , voices the group’s leader and brings charisma to the role, but the script doesn't give her much to work with. She has strong delivery and presence, but the character is more wish-fulfillment than fully realized. May Gong , in her first major role, fits the energy of the film and brings a youthful vibe. She holds her own in the group dynamic but is often sid...
Post a Comment
Read more

M3GAN 2.0 (2025)

M3GAN 2.0 continues the story of the world’s most dangerously sassy AI doll, picking up after the first film's events with a new host, new threats, and a few more upgrades. Directed by Gerard Johnstone , returning from the original M3GAN , the film keeps the same sleek look and dark humor, but the energy isn’t quite the same. The scares are toned down, the satire feels more obvious, and the plot plays it safer this time. It’s still well paced and visually sharp, just not as punchy or fresh as before. Violet McGraw , reprising her role from the first film, shows a bit more range this time. She handles the trauma beats well and sells the emotional moments, even when the script leans a bit cheesy. She’s growing as an actress, and it shows. Allison Williams , best known for Get Out and Girls , returns and feels more like a supporting character this time. She’s fine, just not given much to do besides react to the new version of M3GAN and deliver exposition. Still, she’s a steady pr...
Post a Comment
Read more