Straight Outta Compton

[extended] There was a lot of filmmaking talent nodding rhythmically at this Compton Brotherhood of the Cat's Paw, and it's a bit of a shame afterward that most of it went towards minimizing the classic ills of biopics covering longer periods of time. In other words, once again, there's as much trying to be there as possible and no proper time for any of it. The other strike is the supervision and high-five policy with the real-life inspirations roaming the set, making sure that no one accidentally besmirched their position as the downtrodden talented artists who succeeded regardless of the hostility of the white US in the early 1990s. Dr. Dre, M.D. in particular apparently had to hand out headphones on all sides to come out as the black Rikitan of the whole circus, to whom all the excesses were sooooo removed. But in spite of the merciless running time, the film just keeps trucking along and, most importantly, doesn't try to conform to white perceptions, doesn't apologize for anything, and speaks its own language. (07/03/2016)

If it was 20 minutes shorter or so and went deeper into the psychology of the characters, it would be worthy of 5*. The film stands on the typologically well-cast actors and an inventive direction that presents the nearly decade-long plot in a complex and purposeful manner, with the first hour being downright fantastic by setting the story in a gangster and racist hell where it's forbidden to have your own dreams. The rest of the film is a slightly routine recitation of events and the standard biopic motto of "who's going to screw who over more", but with the authentic touch of a controversial business and a good dose of emotion at the end, so satisfaction is definitely in order and Universal can proudly check off another great job in its most successful year ever... 85% (27/11/2015)

A brash, lively and authentic biopic that summarises everything about NWA from their beginnings in progressive hip hop to their break-up. It’s also quite thorough in its coverage of both the personal lives of the stars and the issues of racial intolerance and discrimination of the time. All this in a raw exhibition of Libatique's cinematography and superbly edited musical numbers. Also, the casting is excellent. (20/04/2021)

I'm not a big fan of Hip Hop and Rap, but I don't mind. F. Gary Gray brought spirit to the film and definitely made the best film in the genre. On the one hand a gangster film about black people having a hard time in America, on the other hand the birth of the current stars in the Hip Hop scene. Ice Cube pulls the whole film, but also the young Snoop Dogg and Doctor Dre are great. There's a lot of swearing, the story is engaging and the action at the hotels after the concert is properly wild. A gritty, sad, engaging story that gave me goosebumps a few times. Fuck the Police. An exceptional experience that I must pay in gold. 90%. (09/03/2018)

I was really surprised by how much this movie impressed me. It is well directed, it is a powerful statement, yet most of the time there is no sentimentality to ruin it. It is dramatic, it is historical, and it is interesting in terms of what you will learn. Well, I thought I knew a little about American rap, but it really is just a little. This is an excellent film, absolutely outstanding in terms of both acting and music. (29/09/2015)