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Boyz 'N The Hood [1991]


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Editorial
Amazon.com

John Singleton, at the age of 23, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for his debut film, Boyz n the Hood. The film stars Laurence Fishburne, Angela Basset, Ice Cube, and Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. in his first starring role in a feature film. Gooding plays Tre Styles, a teenager growing up in South Central Los Angeles. His father, Furious (Fishburne), is divorced and living away from Tre and his mother (Basset), but he's still involved in Tre's upbringing, teaching him responsibility and the values of right and wrong. Meanwhile, Tre's childhood buddies Ricky (Morris Chestnut) and Doughboy (Ice Cube) are living their lives in terms of the epidemic of violence and poverty that has plagued their neighborhood. Ricky, a talented football player, strives to get a full athletic scholarship to college. If only his SAT scores were higher. Doughboy lives a life full of crime but still remains true to his friends. The obstacles that these three young men come across result in dire consequences, devastatingly avoidable and inevitable at the same time. Boyz n the Hood is a landmark film beyond its commercial success, presenting a portrait of South Central in the late '80s and early '90s as painted by Singleton (who grew up in that neighborhood), achieving accuracy and dramatic resonance in this story of at-risk youth. --Shannon Gee

Editorial
Synopsis

John Singleton emerged from USC film school with his passionate script already written, and at age 23 he made the film that spawned a score of ghetto dramas. From the opening shot--a sign reading "Stop"--to the final message of "Increase the Peace," Singleton's desire to galvanize his audience is clear. The violence destroying South Central Los Angeles is seen through the eyes of Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.), whose intelligence and common sense would be wasted in the 'hood if not for his father, Furious (Laurence Fishburne), who imparts discipline and responsibility to his son. Tre's friends aren't so lucky, though, especially Doughboy (Ice Cube), who has been in and out of institutions since childhood and now sits on his porch with a forty in his hand and a pistol in his waistband. Singleton is ambitious enough to tackle a host of problems, from African American business practices to the bias of the SAT test, but the real power of the film lies in the performances of its principals. Cuba Gooding, in his first role, doesn't let Tre come off like a goody two-shoes, while Ice Cube gives a tragic nobility to a young man who knows he's doomed.

Increase The Peace *Contains plot spoilers*
Review date: 2008-06-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

Youngster Tre Styles is sent by his mother to live with his disciplinarian father, Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburn) in 1980's South Central Los Angeles to learn how to be a man. Tre avoids the trappings of petty crime and drugs and grows up to be an intelligent and conscientious teenager played by Cuba Gooding Jr. Tre's best friend Ricky (Morris Chestnut) is shaping up to be a fine football player with a college scholarship in the pipeline whereas his older brother Doughboy (Ice Cube) has been in and out of institutions, and now spends his days drinking on the porch with friends with a gun tucked in his waistband.

John Singleton was only 23 when he penned and directed Boyz 'N' The Hood. Having grown up in South Central himself I assume his portrayal of the neighbourhood is accurate and if it is, youngsters living there in the 1980's and early 1990's were living in a war zone. All the usual growing up things teenage boys like to do such as chasing girls and hanging out with friends is disrupted by violence, drive by shootings and police harassment. Furious Styles lectures Compton gangsters on how white people were repressing black communities by making sure they had the guns, liquor and drugs to kill one another which may seem a little paranoid and far fetched but you can't blame people who grew up in South Central LA for feeling that way. Every day in the 'hood really is a struggle for survival for Tre and his pals as bullets fly indiscriminately every night and everyone has a brother who has been shot or is in the pen'.

After starting out as a coming of age drama, Boyz 'N' The Hood is inevitably shattered by tragedy when good guy Ricky is shot dead after a minor altercation with some gang members. This proves to be a turning point in both Tre and Doughboy's lives. Tre must decide if he wants to be sucked into the violent cycle that will ensue should he seek vengeance and Doughboy knows of no other option than vengeance. Tre steps away from the gangster life (much to Furious's relief) whilst Doughboy takes his final step into it.

Boyz 'N' The Hood offers most of us a view into a life we will never know. Where there is little hope of becoming what you want to be and where human life is cheap. Singletons powerful script is brought to life by powerful performances from a talented cast. The scene where Ricky is brought home and laid on the couch is heart wrenching as Doughboy's retribution is heart pounding. If Singleton wanted to bring attention to the conditions in the deprived areas of the US then he succeeded as Boyz became a huge hit. He also succeeded in making one of the best films of the 1990's and the final powerful message 'Increase the peace' really hits home.

Like this? Try: Training Day

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Reviews


Black 'Brat-Pack' Classic
Review date: 2007-10-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

The interesting aspect about the film was character development. In the beginning of the film's credits you hear a gang member whining about someone he has a grudge with, where as a friend calms him down by taking him for a ride which eventually turns out to be a "drive by shooting" of the very individual being bragged about by other and ending with the innocent sounds of a young boy crying over his brother's murder.

Then we see a young Tre Styles getting into trouble at school because of a classroom fight and then taken to his father (played so brilliantly by Laurance Fishburne) to live with. It's easy to see why this became such a huge hit as it was one film that many reached out to, due to the positive themes of one wishing for a better life and parents guiding him/her in the right direction.

Performances were a real stand out in this. Already mentioned was Laurance Fishburne as Mr. Furious Styles (what a name) and the beautiful Angela Basset as Tre's concerned Mother. Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding couldn't have been more rewarding in this film as well as the lovely Nia Long as Cuba's girlfriend and Regina King too (all to be later reunited in starring in Friday - except for Cuba though).

It's not surprising to learn that many of them would turn out to be huge stars due to the success of this feature and acting credibility.

boyz dun good
Review date: 2006-02-24 Rating: 10 out of 10

truly a great film. i am a 15 year old boy and know everything about life thanks to this film. hard to imagine a mere 23 year old was able to put together such a powrful and emotional film. set around 3 young black, african-american men torn between the lifestyle of a thug or the better life. cruely it ends as real as it gets, 2 end up dead and one lukily escapes his predetermined destiny of prison, death or ganglife. we follow them from child to young budding adults, we follow the trials and tribulations of average men in south central Los Angeles, as they live out their unfortunate lives.

Absolute Masterpiece
Review date: 2005-05-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

Boyz N The Hood is considered by many as the definitive "Hood" movie and is even more astounding to learn that Writer & Director John Singleton was only 23 when this was released. The greatest aspect of this movie is that it's a film about acceptance when focusing around the main character Tré. He's a representative for those of us who have all told lies about our lives simply to fit in with the crowd. We can all relate to the Tré character which is what is easily one of the main reasons for this films popularity.

Set in South Central L.A. "Boyz N The Hood" focuses around three friends with very different aspirations in life.

"Doughboy" played by Ice Cube is a man who's become the typical kid growing up in the hood and succumbed to the Drink, Drugs and crime.

"Ricky Baker" played by Morris Chestnut is the all American athlete who's looking to win a sports scholarship to USC and make something of his life.

"Tré Styles" played by Cube Gooding Jr. is the kid in the middle being pulled by both sides. Tré is lucky enough to have a father who's showing him to do what is right and always take responsibility for his actions.

In this film, while in the hood with his old school friends, Tré is seriously confused about where his life is going. Although his father is teaching him about the right way to live his life, Tré is being pulled by "Doughboy" to follow the hood lifestyle which is glorified by "Doughboys" code of honour. This is truly realistic piece and as an early role for both Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding this was a great way to start an acting career. This is easily Singletons greatest work with which he has yet to gain the same level of success. It's an enjoyable movie that every film fan can sit and watch all the way through. This isn't a typical genre specific movie, so if you're not usually a fan of the "Hood" type movies then don't worry it's not the typical "Hood" movie

Excellent debut feature
Review date: 2004-07-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

Its quite hard to believe that John Singleton was only 23 years old when he wrote and directed this amazing film. It centres around a group of friends, played by Cuba Gooding Jr, Morris Chestnut and Ice Cube who are growing up in a bad area of America, and how they learn to cope with their violent and volitile surroundings. All three leads are on top form as is Laurence Fishburne, who plays Gooding's firm, but fair, father. Never exploitative or glorified, you actually feel sympathy and really identify with the characters, thanks to the way Singleton develops them. All in all, a truly excellent coming of age film and in my opinion, vastly superior to 1993s similar Menace to society. It just a pity that Singletons films which followed this have never really re-captured the magic he found here.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Yolanda Whittaker
Hudhail Al-Amir
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Mia Bell
Lloyd Avery

Creators:
Cuba Gooding Jr. (Primary Contributor)
Yolanda Whittaker (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822318892
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Special Edition,
Release date: 2004-07-19
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 107 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1991-07-12
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Hindi (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Turkish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)
Brand: Sphe.co.uk

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