If you grew up with NWA then you'll LOVE this film! It's AWESOME!

Rating: 9/10 (13 August 2015)

Wow... I mean.... just... wow. Bravo, bravo, bravo! "Straight Outta Compton" is not just good, but I'll have to put it up there with my "must see" movies of all time for so called "black movies." You know, there are certain movies that you simply HAVE to have seen in order to keep your "ghetto pass" or your "black card." Well, this is one of THOSE kind of movies.
It's been awhile since I've seen a film worthy of a real, in-depth critical review. Because this movie was made with me in mind, I will give this critique its just due. Let's start off with the screenplay.
There were about five white dudes who put together this story that black director, F. Gary Gray, brought to life on the silver screen. The story begins just before NWA is formed and ends as Dr. Dre exits Death Row Records to start Aftermath--his very own record label. What happened in between is one of the most compelling dramas I've seen on film. Because I lived through the entire arc of the film, I couldn't help but to be overcome by its nostalgia and it's gripping narrative. I was literally reliving my "coming of age" years along with the film's protagonists. The story drew me in from the opening scene and ran the gamut of emotions until the closing credits. Note: the film's epilogue is worth sticking around for because it features a litany of stars both past and present who owe their careers to N.W.A.
No good story or great director can make a movie truly special without a great cast. I was very skeptical about the casting of "Straight Outta Compton" because only Paul Giamatti was a known quantity going into this project. However, I will give credit where it's due; O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr., and Aldis Hodge did a tremendous job as Cube, Dre, Eazy, Yella, and Ren. Jason Mitchell really delivers a standout performance as Eazy-E. There are some truly unforgettable scenes that this young brother absolutely KILLED. The supporting cast was also noteworthy portraying such icons as Tupac, Warren G, Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, and Suge Knight.
I had heard a lot of chatter prior to seeing "Straight Outta Compton," and much of it was less than positive. My biggest fear is that it would be like that manish woman, Wendy Williams' absolute disgrace of a biopic on the late, great Aaliyah. When I heard that F. Gary Gray was directing the film, some of my trepidation waned. When I heard just a few days ago that Oprah said it was "powerful," I felt really good about the prospects of this film actually doing justice to these rap music pioneers and living legends. I can say now with full confidence that "Straight Outta Compton" did NWA justice. This ain't no after school special, and it definitely ain't no "made-for-tv" bullcrap. This film is legit in every sense of the word. From it's expensive production values to it's attention to detail with respect to the period, to the amazing soundtrack, this film is straight DOPE! I can't wrap up my review without talking about the centerpiece of this whole movie--the MUSIC! Oh...my...dayum! The music in "Straight Outta Compton" goes HAM!!! I'm an ol' skool music connoisseur anyway, but coming into my own in the early nineties really made the music of that era resonate with me in a uniquely powerful way. I literally knew every word of every song featured in the movie! I don't think I've ever been able to say that about a film before. From N.W.A.'s classics to Ice Cube's solo classics, to Tupac's "Hail Mary," to Dr. Dre's "Chronic" album (arguably the greatest rap album of all time), the soundtrack of this film keeps you moving from start to finish. The official soundtrack by Dr. Dre features new songs, but the music that's actually featured in the film literally transported me back to some of the greatest times in my life. There's a scene where Dr. Dre and Snoop are coming up with "Nuthin But a G Thang" that will make 1993 come alive right before your very eyes! It was oh so very, very DOPE! Go see "Straight Outta Compton" this weekend. It's the best film I've seen in a long time. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll get mad as hell. You'll learn something you didn't know before. You'll think. You'll gain a new respect and a new appreciation for the struggle of being a black man growing up in AmeriKKKa. You'll celebrate how a group of young brothers from South Central Los Angeles took nothing but their God-given talent and an "NWA mentality" and conquered the world. 5 Big Starz for "Straight Outta Compton." #filmcritic