Menace II Society (1993) [Blu-ray]
Crime | Drama

The place is Watts, but it could be any urban area blighted by guns and poverty. The person is 18-year-old Caine, but he could be any young man in the 'hood. The movie could only be Menace II Society, the bravura, uncompromising look at Caine's spiral - from missed opportunities to inescapable missteps - into the inner-city cycle of hate and death. The filmmaking duo The Hughes Brothers (Dead Presidents, From Hell) made their feature debut with this urgent instant classic now available in a compelling Extended Director's Cut. The actors (including Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate and Jada Pinkett) electrify. The pace sears. And Menace II Society hits with an emotional impact that will leave you stunned.

User Comment: Special-K88, 28 September 2002 • Extremely brutal, but gripping and compelling story of a volatile, alienated young teenager growing up in the violent atmosphere of the L.A. Watts District and—against the advice of family and friends—makes no effort to transcend the harshness and ignorance of his surroundings, instead choosing to head down a dead-end path. Violent, almost unbearable at times, but faultlessly acted by the cast, and filled with powerful, authentic scenes. Tate is an absolute powerhouse as Turner's young, impulsive, and extremely cold-blooded pal. Obviously not for all tastes, but a monumental achievement regardless, thanks to a superior cast of actors.

Summary: powerfully good.

User Comment: Oliver Blomqvist (oblomqvist@hotmail.com) from helsinki, finland, 16 March 2000 • Menace was a brilliant film. There are many reasons to it, but I think what makes it so special is it's sense of style. It proves effectively that a gritty street-drama doesn't have to look bad in order to be realistic. Instead of using hand held cams and grainy film the Hughes' shoot their film with style, influenced by John Woo, and action-comics.

The violence used is also excessive and very graphic. There are brutal beatings as well as bloody shootings, all shot much better than your average action-movie. Like as in Dead Presidents, the directors aren't afraid of over-doing anything. Through slow-motion and impressive camera manoeuvering they're making great, exhilarating action.

Well, besides the violence the movie is great in many other ways. The shootings and bloodlettings are just to make it more realistic, which is pretty much the goal of the movie. In heartbreaking detail the main characters narrate us through youth criminality, drug-dealing, racism and a lot of other nasty stuff. The voice-over works really well, making Menace a sort of black "Goodfellas".

The story is great, in some points resembling some greek tragedy, with a storyline used successfully in other movies like Carlito's Way, Goodfellas, American History X and many others. It's about changing your life in time, before it's too late. If you don't change in time, all your past sins will come back to you. The movie is hilarious, sad, suspenseful and very educational for those who think there is racial equality in USA.

The Hughes' are young, aggressive and untouchable film-makers who intend to show you the real world, and do it with style.

Summary: Brilliant movie.

[CSW] -4- Although I was already well aware of the environment, pressures, alienation, and the volatility of even just living with the influences of the friends and family could bring to bear, I had never seen it so accurately portrayed. Although it represented only one slice of life in that environment it was still gives a pretty accurate picture of the almost impossible to survive problems and situations faced by those trapped in that environment. Even though it was still disturbing and somewhat painful to reflect on the consequences and probable outcome of living in an environment that tends to force people into untenable situations, I had to give it a higher rating simply because of the very accurate and poignant portrayal. This is a harsh film to watch but absolutely necessary for anyone that has little or no idea of what life in the hood is all about and as a reminder to those that do.
[V3.5-A4.0] MPEG-4 AVC - No D-Box.

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