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Menace II Society (1993)

R  -  Crime | Drama  -  26 May 1993 (USA)
7.5
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Ratings: 7.5/10 from 33,540 users   Metascore: 76/100
Reviews: 91 user | 27 critic | 19 from Metacritic.com

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

Directors:

(as The Hughes Brothers) , (as The Hughes Brothers)

Writers:

(story), (story), 2 more credits »

Stars:

, , | »
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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Caine
...
...
Grocery Store Woman (as June Kyoko Lu)
...
Grocery Store Man
...
Anthony Johnson ...
Tony
Brandon Hammond ...
Five Year Old Caine
...
Pernell
Reginald Ballard ...
Clyde
...
Karen Lawson
Eugene Lee ...
Man #1
...
Man #2 (as James Pickins Jr.)
...
Teacher (as Nancy Cheryl Davis)
Jullian Roy Doster ...
Anthony
...
Ronnie (as Jada Pinkett)
See full cast »
Edit

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. Written by Daniel Bredy <gt3655a@prism.gatech.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

street | high school | ghetto | three word title | slow motion | See All (75) »

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

26 May 1993 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Die Straßenkämpfer  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$27,900,000 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Spice 1 was originally cast as Caine Lawson. See more »

Goofs

In the beginning of the movie Tat pulls out a Colt Detective Special 38 caliber revolver and points it at the man, after a few words Tat shoots the man 8 times which is not possible because the gun only holds 6 bullets See more »

Quotes

[Playing cards at a table]
Man: I told you I ain't got your money yet.
Tat Lawson: The fuck you mean you ain't got my money yet? The fuck you *mean* you don't got my money *yet*? You best pay me my motherfuckin' money.
Man: Fuck you, jack. Who the fuck you think you is, motherfuckin' Ron O'Neil? Talkin' bout I better pay you. You can suck my dick.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Hillz (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

FLY AWAY
Written by V. Herbert, K. Griffin
Performed by Hi-Five
Courtesy of Jive Records
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the US r-rated version uncut? Which version is uncut?
See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

powerfully good
28 September 2002 | by – See all my reviews

Extremely brutal, but gripping and compelling story of a volatile, alienated young teenager (Turner) 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 younger, impulsive, and extremely cold-blooded pal. Obviously not for all tastes, but a monumental achievement regardless, thanks to a superior cast of actors. ***½
48 of 51 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?
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