I watched this movie on Netflix the other night and was pretty much blown away. I was expecting more of a Boyz in the Hood/Menace II Society feel, but got something almost completely different. This aspect of the movie was probably what stood out most to me. It's the type of movie you probably have to watch twice, because it goes in a very different direction than what you would expect. So much so that I was starting to get confused as to where the movie was headed. This was until I had the revelation that the kid playing chess with his father wasn't just thrown in for nothing and was an analogy reflecting on the events that take place in the movie. It is pretty amazing when a movie of this genre can make you think and question why things are the way they are in society and to do it without being too preachy.
The acting is exceptional too, especially from Sean Nelson as the young drug dealer. There are also excellent supporting roles from Giancarlo Esposito and Samuel L. Jackson, and the rest of the mostly unknown cast are great as well. I already knew 1994 was one of the best years for movies ever, with greats like Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption and Forrest Gump all coming out that same year. But in my opinion, this movie is just as impactful in its own way, depending on how you look at it. There are some parts that make it seem like it hasn't aged well, but it is an intricate and thrilling movie with a message that goes beyond just being a "hood movie". I really think this movie is in a class of its own and one that hadn't really been done before it was made and hasn't been done since.
Overall a stellar and must-watch movie, with a groundbreaking performance from Sean Young and a very emotional ending that will make you reconsider all the events you witnessed throughout the movie. A solid 10/10.
The acting is exceptional too, especially from Sean Nelson as the young drug dealer. There are also excellent supporting roles from Giancarlo Esposito and Samuel L. Jackson, and the rest of the mostly unknown cast are great as well. I already knew 1994 was one of the best years for movies ever, with greats like Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption and Forrest Gump all coming out that same year. But in my opinion, this movie is just as impactful in its own way, depending on how you look at it. There are some parts that make it seem like it hasn't aged well, but it is an intricate and thrilling movie with a message that goes beyond just being a "hood movie". I really think this movie is in a class of its own and one that hadn't really been done before it was made and hasn't been done since.
Overall a stellar and must-watch movie, with a groundbreaking performance from Sean Young and a very emotional ending that will make you reconsider all the events you witnessed throughout the movie. A solid 10/10.