The Anticritic Reviews 8 Mile

Rating: Null/10 (25 November 2002)

**Warning, may contain spoilers, I try never to use any but there may be accidental ones in my reviews**
8 Mile (2002)
By Trevor Stevens (The Anti Critic) 11-22-2002
OVERVIEW:
The breakthrough vehicle for rap artist Eminem and a chance for Curtis Hanson to prove that he can make quality movies just like he did with L.A. Confidential. Hype galore and a trailer reminiscent of other rap star films would make anyone think this movie bombs. The story involves Eminem playing his quasi self (No matter what they say, this is a movie based on em's past, official or not) who is a struggling white collar worker in Detroit who gets a chance to move up by entering in the local rap battles and milks his chance for what it's worth.
PROS:
Brittany Murphy - Extremely sexy in a trashy skanky sort of way. She always lights up the screen every time she's on it. Playing both a muse and sex object, she doesn't get much screen time, but it's probably for the better because if she was up there too long the screen would melt, ok ok I'll stop. Brittany Murphy - Extremely sexy in a trashy skanky sort of way. She always lights up the screen every time she's on it. Playing both a muse and sex object, she doesn't get much screen time, but it's probably for the better because if she was up there too long the screen would melt, ok ok I'll stop.
Kim Basinger - Working again with the director that got her the Oscar she deserved and turning in a fine performance as the frenetic mother of Eminem.
Eminem - Great job is all I can say. I admit he is playing a role that is a direct caricature of himself so he doesn't have to stretch his acting muscles, but just watch a certain scene which involves him standing up to Kim Basinger and showing he can play a tug of war for scene chewing with Kim and you'll see what I mean.
Mekhi Phifer - Odd but endearing performance from one of the better black actors in Hollywood. Reminiscent of his role from Hell's Kitchen with Angelina Jolie, and that's a good thing.
Reality - Loved the gritty look of (what I would guess) is the real streets of Detroit. Every scene had a dark and bleak look to it, which went well with the drama throughout cause it set a good somber mood.
Rap battles - Great and I wish there was more of them, but I understand they wanted to support the characters and story more. Not only the rap battles, but the occasional freestyles (although scripted) that appear from random people are fun to watch as well. Almost seems like a sub language and sure as hell beats ebonics.
CONS (not what I hated, but what others might not like and need to know):
Sex - yes there is sex, but it's not very graphic, you see Kim Basinger's and Brit Murphy's behinds.
Language - Yes, lots of language throughout, this is an urban movie after all. I would say a little more than average for a movie, but not to the point of being gratuitous.
Violence - The fighting in this film is more verbal than physical, but there are some semi-brutal beatings and a comical scene involving a gun.
OTHER:
Janeane - An apparent part of the story disappears for huge chunks at a time, more odd then anything.
Brittany Murphy - I was hoping to finally see some nudity from her, although this would be an odd movie to `debut' that on, she was in two different sex scenes, and the most that happens is Eminem gets to grab some luscious rump..oh well, one of these days she'll turn around.
Memorable - My personal favorite `rap star' movie, I also like watching Ice Cube when he does serious roles, but I'm talking solely about movies that involve rap stars rapping. I would like to see Em try other acting endeavors.
Ignore your bias - Just cause this movie involves Eminem, don't toss it to the side just because it stars him and you hate him and his music, that would be a bad move in my opinion and no it does not play out like a 2 hr music video and you will be seeing a real dramatic and not MTVish movie.
Disclaimer: Remember as always, I do not intend to criticize, but give you information as an informed viewer. Critics look too much for flaws and refuse to just enjoy most of the time. As such, I do not rate movies as they all have merit of their own and I almost without exception like every movie I watch.