On M List of Movie Reviews
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Menace II Society (1993)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
4/05, 4/07, 2/22
4/07:
Menace II Society is a Boyz n the Hood wannabe.
Tyrin Turner is talented when it comes to spitting up blood while being carried by people as they make their way in the
emergency room. Terrible characters, redundant story, average acting, and lame dialogue have plagued the film.
There's nothing unique, serving as a reminder that "this is how black teenagers live in the projects, and it's
what they grow up with." Okay. So? Move out. Get an education. Go to the library. Do something productive.
All in all, Menace II Society is a rehash of everything that happened in Boyz n the Hood.
2/22:
Heavily influenced by Boyz n the Hood, Menace II Society goes around the same block by presenting a survival
story in the black ghetto.
The direction by Allen and Albert Hughes is strong. It's absorbing to follow Tyrin Turner's steps as Caine
"Kaydee" Lawson. Hence, the movie becomes real this way with a killer soundtrack to boot. These people are dangerous, hence
the title Menace II Society.
If anybody deserves an Oscar nomination, it's Tyger Williams for his screenplay which is fresh and original. Tyrin
Turner, Jada Pinkett, and Larenz Tate (who could've scored an Oscar nomination in his feature film debut) are unforgettable. I
wasn't rooting for any of them. Two are criminals and should be in prison for life while the female, although pretty, is
too clueless to be helped. When Caine died at the end, it's what he deserved. He had plenty of chances to stop but didn't heed
anybody's advice.
All in all, I used to think that Menace II Society was a rip-off of Boyz n the Hood, but it's excellent
in its own way.