An antidote for summer blockbusters.

Rating: 9/10 (21 August 2015)

Raw. Very raw.
I'm not the biggest rap fan, but I do enjoy it from time to time. These guys were something else back in the day. I think people don't really realize that, but this movie will show otherwise.
The story of the rise and fall of the rap group N.W.A. is wonderfully told through the solid direction from F. Gary Gary, and the excellent performances from the talented young cast. It really grabs the honest portrayal of their days as a group and as individuals. What makes Straight Outta Compton different from other biopics is that, most biopics rely on the nostalgia, but this film reels us in with the raw reflection of that particular era. Right from the beginning we're hooked in with the trio of leads, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube, and as Ice Cube nicely puts it, their art is a reflection of their reality and it's immediately shown when the movie kicks in.
The three leads equally share the load of this film and to see the three of them take separate directions in life, one would think that's a lot to juggle, but here, it's paced so eloquently. I liked the natural progression and evolution of the these characters, showing that people do change. When you have three guys coming from the same neighborhood with the same career goals, give them fame, stardom, and money, they're gonna end up in different places, forging their own destiny. The film showcases that inevitable outcome and the usage of logos, ethos and pathos are also at play, as the trio represents one of the modes.
Dr. Dre is the logos of the film. Portrayed by Corey Hawkens, Dre showed the most maturing and growth of his character, dissolving into his own man. Jason Mitchell who is Eazy-E oozes charisma and charm, if anyone is familiar with Eazy-E, Mitchell's performance certainly brings the pathos into the film. The one who stole the show for me was O'Shea Jackson Jr. as Ice Cube showcasing ethos. During the hype of this film I wasn't too sure about Ice Cube's own son portraying him who really had no acting experience. I had no doubt that he would be the weakest link, but I was certainly wrong. I did not see O'Shea Jackson Jr. in this film, I saw Ice Cube. I heard he took two years to prepare for this role, and it really shows. He brings the most attitude and energy to the screen, by standing up to authority, and writing powerful lyrics. Plus his uncanny resemblance to his father helps as well.
Aldis Hodge as MC Ren and Neil Brown Jr. as DJ Yella are obviously aren't in the limelight as the trio, but to my surprise they weren't underdeveloped as I thought they'd be. They have some moments to shine within the group and provide decent supporting roles. Paul Giamatti as their manager Jerry Heller brings the almost fatherly, and caring figure to the group, especially to Eazy-E, but also evokes the dirtiness of a cheating business man. R. Marcus Taylor brings out a chilling, cruel performance as Suge Knight.
Is this movie completely accurate, I would assume probably not. When it comes to bringing a famous person's life on screen, there is some revisionist history going on, but it does a good job showcasing the brutality of living in a neighborhood like Compton, and how music was an escape for these guys. Ice Cube and Dr. Dre are also producers on the film and I appreciate that they portrayed themselves and the group without as much filter, despite the fact that some of it was probably omitted(Dre's history of violence against women). It only makes their development much more engaging. This is a film that has a real feel for the creative process in the studio. Their tour performance scenes rock, particularly the depiction of a tense show in Detroit where the group is warned in advance not to perform "F*ck Tha Police."
F. Gary Gary had a difficult task of making a biopic about N.W.A. He pulled it off. Biopics more often than not tend to elaborate on the rise-fall-rise-again structure, the sex and the drugs, disputes within a group about money, ego, it's all there and to be fair we've seen it many times, but with the solid, all around performances, and F. Gary Gary's execution, you probably won't mind.
Straight Outta Compton is one of the better musical biopics out there, and easily in the top ten of 2015. Sure, the last hour loses just a tiny, tiny bit of steam showcasing some side melodrama, but it's packed with performances you can't take your eyes off, stellar concert scenes, nice cameos from future rappers, a strong narrative, just an electrifying film all around, Straight Outta Compton is a hell of a ride and the lyrics of Ice Cube's "F*ck Tha Police," which was written almost thirty years ago, is still sadly relevant today.
9/10