Menace II Society (1993)

A young street hustler attempts to escape the rigors and temptations of the ghetto in a quest for a better life.

Directors:

Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes

Writers:

Allen Hughes (story), Albert Hughes (story),

Stars:

Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, June Kyoto Lu

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tyrin Turner	...	Caine
Larenz Tate	...	O-Dog
June Kyoto Lu	...	Grocery Store Woman (as June Kyoko Lu)
Toshi Toda	...	Grocery Store Man
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Tat Lawson
Anthony Johnson	...	Tony
Brandon Hammond	...	Five Year Old Caine
Glenn Plummer	...	Pernell
Reginald Ballard	...	Clyde
Khandi Alexander	...	Karen Lawson
Eugene Lee	...	Man #1
James Pickens Jr.	...	Man #2 (as James Pickins Jr.)
Nancy Cheryll Davis	...	Teacher (as Nancy Cheryl Davis)
Jullian Roy Doster	...	Anthony
Jada Pinkett Smith	...	Ronnie (as Jada Pinkett)

Storyline

This urban nightmare chronicles several days in the life of Caine Lawson, following his high-school graduation, as he attempts to escape his violent existence in the projects of Watts, CA.

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Plot Keywords:

ghetto | street | high school | homicide | family relationships | 

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Taglines:

This is the truth. This is what's real.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, drug use and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Straßenkämpfer

Filming Locations:

7th Ave and Montclair St., Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$27,900,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Spice 1 was originally cast as Caine Lawson.

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Goofs

In the opening scene, the crew is reflected in the mirror over the beer cooler.

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Quotes

[Sharif tells Caine to stop vomiting]
Sharif: Come on now, get up from off your knees praying to that porcelain god, that white porcelain god.

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Connections

Spoofed in Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)

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Soundtracks

"STREIHT UP MENACE"
Written by MC Eiht (as A. Tyler) and DJ Slip (as T. Allen)
Performed by MC Eiht (of Compton's Most Wanted)
Courtesy of Orpheus/Epic Records

User Reviews

Shockingly Perfect

This movie is so good, I remember specifically the first time I saw it.

I was 17 years old, hanging out with friends, doing the things 17 year olds and the characters in the movie do, in a friend's backyard. On our way out to a movie theater, I ran up to the entertainment room to grab my jacket. As I entered, I heard the first line of "Menace" from a television which had been left on. In the 30 seconds it took me to put on my jacket, I was drawn into the flick.

As the first scene came to a close, my buddies came looking for me. It didn't take long for them to realize that we wouldn't be going anywhere.

At such an age this movie shocked and excited me. It left me in awe and on the edge of tears.

In my early twenties (and after I'd seen it several times), the movie made me laugh out loud. The clever dialog, even in tenuous situations, is genius. Cheeseburgers, anyone?

Now in my late twenties, I consider this a classic. Take your other gang movies and throw them out the window. Boyz n the Hood is the only one that comes close and that takes itself way too seriously. Everything else is just an imitation of this perfectly woven tale.

As long as you can tolerate the violence and not-so-clean language, check this one out. It's simply brilliant.