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From Amazon.co.uk
Tyrin Turner may not have broken out into stardom as was initially expected, but his work in Menace II Society is one of the more powerful cinematic debuts. The film, from the brother writer-director team of Allen and Albert Hughes, chronicles life in the Los Angeles 'hood. Similar territory was covered in the equally commanding Boyz N the Hood, but what makes this cautionary tale stand out is not only the Hughes brothers' forceful story, (written with their friend, Tyger Williams) and direction, but the naturalness of then-newcomer leads Turner as Caine, Larenz Tate as O-Dog, and Jada Pinkett as Ronnie. They are so credible--occasionally frighteningly so--that the repressive universe of violent ghetto life is captured effectively. Life as portrayed here-and no doubt accurately so--is both figuratively and literally narrow. As a very young boy, Caine witnesses his dad murdered over something inconsequential, and his mom OD. His is a world where respect comes from intimidation, power from violence. Despite his understanding of right and wrong (values passed on by a good friend, his kind grandparents, a caring teacher), his life and its entrapments are too much to overcome. --N.F. Mendoza
Product Description
The controversial debut film from the Hughes Brothers. Despite his violent and unsettled upbringing in the poverty-stricken Watts area of Los Angeles, Caine dreams of going to college or moving to Atlanta with his girlfriend Ronnie. However, on a visit to a local grocery store with homeboy O-Dog, Caine becomes involved in a series of brutal killings and his dreams of escaping his violent background evaporate immediately.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Kim Lockhart
Format:DVD
I thought this film was brilliant. I had seen Boyz in the Hood and was a bit disappointed with it, someone recommended this one and it was great. The characters are all so real, and it's surprisingly realistic. You see the main character Cain struggling over what's right and wrong, and the ending really makes you think that life doesn't always turn out okay in the end. I would definitely recommend this.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By DL Productions UK
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Blu-ray
The Hughes Brothers film about civil unrest in the burbs of LA has often been slated for being too violent - and encouraging violence, but this has to be one of the best films about violence in LA and Western America.
Caine is the storyteller here, and racontes the story of his life, from a dangerous childhood, to a fully armed killer in his later years. He's not really helped by the fact his parents were into the game too, his mum a drug user, his father a gangster. It doesn't stop there; Caine is hanging out with a nasty piece of work - O-Dog, who's insane and doesn't really care about human life. This is their ups and downs in society, and after killing a Korean shopkeeper, the boys have to decide whether it's all good, or whether they should leave the game.
This is an excellent portrayal from the Hughes siblings, with the help of Tyger Williams. Both Tyrin Turner and Larenz Tate were really good in this, even though they were freshmen to cinema. Samuel L Jackson was superb in this too as Caine's father - and made a direct impact. The film is violent, but stays relevant to it's plight; uncovering LA gang violence - and is nothing like Colors and New Jack City, but rather more concise and harder hitting. It's quite amazing that two music video producers did such good work, the camera work is professional and like a pro's work. They have cited Scorsese as their influence, and Goodfellas, and you can see why - this is an interesting and relevant piece of work.
This Blu doesn't let the side down either, the picture and sound are glorious - lovely bass on the soundtrack as the beats kick in. The colours are vivid and make the best of the footage, it actually felt like I was in a cinema watching this.... Read more ›
Caine is the storyteller here, and racontes the story of his life, from a dangerous childhood, to a fully armed killer in his later years. He's not really helped by the fact his parents were into the game too, his mum a drug user, his father a gangster. It doesn't stop there; Caine is hanging out with a nasty piece of work - O-Dog, who's insane and doesn't really care about human life. This is their ups and downs in society, and after killing a Korean shopkeeper, the boys have to decide whether it's all good, or whether they should leave the game.
This is an excellent portrayal from the Hughes siblings, with the help of Tyger Williams. Both Tyrin Turner and Larenz Tate were really good in this, even though they were freshmen to cinema. Samuel L Jackson was superb in this too as Caine's father - and made a direct impact. The film is violent, but stays relevant to it's plight; uncovering LA gang violence - and is nothing like Colors and New Jack City, but rather more concise and harder hitting. It's quite amazing that two music video producers did such good work, the camera work is professional and like a pro's work. They have cited Scorsese as their influence, and Goodfellas, and you can see why - this is an interesting and relevant piece of work.
This Blu doesn't let the side down either, the picture and sound are glorious - lovely bass on the soundtrack as the beats kick in. The colours are vivid and make the best of the footage, it actually felt like I was in a cinema watching this.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
I thought killing those fools would make me feel good, but it really didn't make me feel anything.
13 July 2011
By Spike Owen
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The directorial debut of twin brothers Albert and Allen Hughes, Menace II Society is a tough, no nonsense look at youthful black life in the Watts section of Los Angeles. The Hughes Brother's movie charts the hapless life of Caine (Tyrin Turner) as he seeks to escape the ghetto. The son of both a drug dealer (Samuel L. Jackson in a potent appearance) and an addict, Tyrin, surrounded by guns and a machismo culture, is tied to his friends and the way of life afforded him. Even as love and a chance of a way out arises with Jada Pinkett's (terrific) pretty Ronnie, it's doubtful if Tyrin will escape from the revolving door of death.
Menace II Society had a troubled beginning, refused a video certificate on the grounds of its profane language and brutally violent scenes, it has since gone on to be viewed as one of the finer exponents of anti-violence involving Black Americans. That wasn't always the case though, many critics in the 90s were prone to calling it a film that glamorises the lifestyle of "Hood" gangsters, but offered a saver of sorts by correctly saying it had realism in amongst the harshness. Certainly the dialogue and regional slang was refreshing to hear, thus affording "Menace" and its makers praise for keeping it real, so to speak.
Ineviatbly comparisons were (are) drawn with John Singleton's 1991 film, Boyz n the Hood. But although "Menace" is rawer, uncompromising and more visceral with impact, it lacks the intelligence of Singleton's film. Where "Boyz" had fully rounded characters, character with which to hang your hat on to, "Menace" is just a social group of youths we neither know or care about outside of the group, ego driven dynamic.... Read more ›
Menace II Society had a troubled beginning, refused a video certificate on the grounds of its profane language and brutally violent scenes, it has since gone on to be viewed as one of the finer exponents of anti-violence involving Black Americans. That wasn't always the case though, many critics in the 90s were prone to calling it a film that glamorises the lifestyle of "Hood" gangsters, but offered a saver of sorts by correctly saying it had realism in amongst the harshness. Certainly the dialogue and regional slang was refreshing to hear, thus affording "Menace" and its makers praise for keeping it real, so to speak.
Ineviatbly comparisons were (are) drawn with John Singleton's 1991 film, Boyz n the Hood. But although "Menace" is rawer, uncompromising and more visceral with impact, it lacks the intelligence of Singleton's film. Where "Boyz" had fully rounded characters, character with which to hang your hat on to, "Menace" is just a social group of youths we neither know or care about outside of the group, ego driven dynamic.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
"It's right there in the Bible, Exodus 20:13: '"Thou shall not kill."
27 Jun 2007
By Jenny J.J.I.
Format:DVD
Pop this movie just the other night and it turns out this is still an incredible movie. Larenz Tate is indeed a fine actor. I've seen this movie numerously over the years and it still get to me. "Menace II Society" is a film that is so violent, depressing and real it seriously looks and feels like a documentary. Inside the first 20 minutes there are a few scenes that would be the climatic in the latter (Boyz n The Hood) purely because they contain outrageous violence, sadness and that feeling that you are watching something brilliant & depressing. It shows what a tenacious, vicious film this is- the normal, brutal ending to another film of misguided youth is purely an introductory, walk in the park for this.
The film follows the venture of a young man, "Caine" (Tyrin Turner) in the hood. He is a part time drug-dealer, but even though the portrayal of his character isn't sympathetic, that emotion is still evoked at the same time as watching him and his friends manoeuvre through the 'hood. Caine's best friend, O- Dog (Larenz Tate) was never any hope. Seen "Trainspotting"? O-Dog is a GD-up version of the psychotic, violent character "Begbie". He shoots people for fun, treats women in a degrading fashion and constantly annoys and makes fun of his friends. Other characters include Jada Pinkett-Smith, Bill Duke, and Samuel L Jackson, the last two only holding small roles in this movie.
I'm not going to go into great depths into this film. It cannot do it justice. Every actor is superb, the script is impeccable and the violence is raw, uncut but informative. Watching this is like a documentary- you feel as if you are there, and by the end you won't be able to process what eventually happens. For me, it made me go numb. I'm never able to leave my seat for a few minutes.... Read more ›
The film follows the venture of a young man, "Caine" (Tyrin Turner) in the hood. He is a part time drug-dealer, but even though the portrayal of his character isn't sympathetic, that emotion is still evoked at the same time as watching him and his friends manoeuvre through the 'hood. Caine's best friend, O- Dog (Larenz Tate) was never any hope. Seen "Trainspotting"? O-Dog is a GD-up version of the psychotic, violent character "Begbie". He shoots people for fun, treats women in a degrading fashion and constantly annoys and makes fun of his friends. Other characters include Jada Pinkett-Smith, Bill Duke, and Samuel L Jackson, the last two only holding small roles in this movie.
I'm not going to go into great depths into this film. It cannot do it justice. Every actor is superb, the script is impeccable and the violence is raw, uncut but informative. Watching this is like a documentary- you feel as if you are there, and by the end you won't be able to process what eventually happens. For me, it made me go numb. I'm never able to leave my seat for a few minutes.... Read more ›
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Movie, But BEWARE DIRECTORS CUT
This is a solidly decent movie, probably the best of the crop dealing with black LA street gangs, just beware of the directors cut which I had high hopes for but turned out to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by IUsed2BaTeenageDirtbag
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Menace Is Society
This movie is an extremely important statement, not just about young Blacks growing up in the gang crime 'ghettos' of LA, but more importantly the social, economic and cultural... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. M. Hetep
5.0 out of 5 stars
Andy
Terrific film, one of my favourites, brilliant acting, a real look at how american 'gang bangers' act, a must see for any gangster film
Published on 31 Mar 2011 by Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
This film is a classic. and I have this film removed from the shelf and placed in a drawer. that is how much I treasure it
Published on 1 Feb 2011 by Richie Rich
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Movie "Genius"
I used to own this movie on VHS and i just watched it for the 1st time in a long time in a friends house on DVD, the reason why im on here RE-PURCHASING IT !!! Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2010 by Scott Mackay
5.0 out of 5 stars
really good
this film is a must watch if you into them ghetto hood films from america powerful and sometimes funny if you buy this you won't be dissaponted trust me
Published on 28 Sep 2009 by liamkearns
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never A Dull Moment
Possibly my favourite movie of all time.. or at least one of them definitley.. I would never hesitate to reccommend this move to anyone looking for an action packed movie that... Read more
Published on 30 May 2006 by Jay-P
3.0 out of 5 stars
A hard-hitting drama to remember for a long time to come!
Originally released in 1993, Menace to society was, i am led to believe, nearly banned for it's brutal portrail of growing up in a bad area and around bad people. Read more
Published on 3 July 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
MENACE II SOCIETY
you might be thinkin that these reviews are a waste of time but im tellin u this is the real deal, i hav never seen a film that is more brilliant than this, this truely is one film... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2003 by kash
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