Boyz n the Hood (1991)

Featured Audience Ratings

• KJ P

  
  I may be a sucker for drama's, but this film truly shows what life used to be like in "the hood!" It follows three young kids who grow into young adults, who are faced with death defying situations that you feel absolutely obliged to feel sympathy for. The bond between… More
  I may be a sucker for drama's, but this film truly shows what life used to be like in "the hood!" It follows three young kids who grow into young adults, who are faced with death defying situations that you feel absolutely obliged to feel sympathy for. The bond between Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and his father (Lawrence Fishbourne) is some of the best on-screen chemistry I have ever seen. This blaxploitation film represents what most of them lack, a sense of emotion that everyone can relate to, not just someone who already knows about the topic. The acting is (for the most part) terrific, the story is engaging and well paced, and the dialogue flows far too perfectly that it doesn't even feel like you are watching a movie. "Boyz n the Hood" is phenomenal!

• Eric A

  
  This movie seriously wowed me. Struggle, passion, and heart all tied together and portrayed beautifully on screen. BNTH is very real and one of my favorite films of all time.

• Bethany M

  
  I really enjoyed this film. Poignant story and a definite must see. Cuba Gooding Jr is fantastic! Along with Fishbourne. Heartbreaking that this really does happen on streets in America.

• Chris W

  
  John Singleton's debut film as a writer director takes a serious subject, and gives it the proper treatment it deserves. The result is a thoughtful, and thought-provoking film about the hardships of growing up in the Hood, and the desire for something better. This film was… More
  John Singleton's debut film as a writer director takes a serious subject, and gives it the proper treatment it deserves. The result is a thoughtful, and thought-provoking film about the hardships of growing up in the Hood, and the desire for something better. This film was released during the new wave of African American cinema during the mid-late 80s and 90s and serves as a powerful testament to the talent of African American filmmakers and performers. It's got great themes, strong acting, good messages, and does it all in a balanced way (mostly) that tells it like it is without being gratituous or overbearing. The film can be a bit melodramatic at times, but this is just a very minor quibble. I really liked the great sense of authenticity and Laurence Fishburne plays a rare role model figure not often seen in these types of films. I really enjoyed the cast, especially the strong performances from then newcomers Morris Chestnit, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ice Cube. It's a shame that since then, Chestnut has basically disappeared, Gooding won an Oscar but now does forgetable crap, and Ice Cube has pretty much done the same (minus the Oscar). If you haven't seen this one yet, you probably should. It's an important and influential film that's done well, and has a lot of important things to say. If you haven't seen it in a while, then give it a rewatch. It's held up quite well, and still remains relevant.

• Conner R

  
  Almost the only movie that depicts the "Hood" without any type of gimmick or secondary message. John Singleton did a great job at criticizing and humanizing the community and not just making it one big group of stereotypes.The performances are great and the visual style… More
  Almost the only movie that depicts the "Hood" without any type of gimmick or secondary message. John Singleton did a great job at criticizing and humanizing the community and not just making it one big group of stereotypes.The performances are great and the visual style rivals Spike Lee at times. This is a relatively easy story to digest because it's not as heavy handed as some other "race" films and the writing isn't so one-noted. It has a purpose and a strong message.

• danny d

  
  best drama ever made about urban life in america. i would mostly agree that after this film the genre falls apart quickly, but to blame this film would be short sighted. incredible film.

• Daniel J D

  
  Necessary viewing. The movie manages to simultaneously entertain, enlighten, and excel in the many facets of production--a rare feat in movie-making at any point in history.

• Anthony L

  
  Yeah it?s good but it?s responsible for a lot of terrible movies! It?s a little sensationalist at times too with maybe a little too much of a stereotypical slant.

• Luke B

  
  Many films are of their time, Boyz N the Hood is a film that seems to be just as relevant today, maybe even more so as the hot-blooded males represented and the short fuses they possess is common in most areas of society. Boyz n the Hood, despite the urban setting and characters… More
  Many films are of their time, Boyz N the Hood is a film that seems to be just as relevant today, maybe even more so as the hot-blooded males represented and the short fuses they possess is common in most areas of society. Boyz n the Hood, despite the urban setting and characters involved in the world of gangs, doesn't play too deep into the racial elements. There are thoughtful and intelligent musings on race, but this isn't a glamorization of the lifestyle, nor is it an angry film that wallows in self pity. It's a well paced drama with the overall feel of both tragedy and hope. The performances are very powerful, with both Gooding Jr. and Ice Cube yet to top their young promise. A rare, unbiased, enthralling and even important film.

• Jason O

  
  Definitely a classic and one of the best films of its type, don't know what else to say.

• Dan S

  
  A riveting portrayal of life in the ghetto, and how some bright spots escape from the utter drudgery that exists in these neighborhoods, while others get sucked into the pattern and lifestyle that is so prevalent in these communities. Although flawed, this film works in large part… More
  A riveting portrayal of life in the ghetto, and how some bright spots escape from the utter drudgery that exists in these neighborhoods, while others get sucked into the pattern and lifestyle that is so prevalent in these communities. Although flawed, this film works in large part because of the performances from Ice Cube as a gangster who craves love, Laurence Fishburne as a driven father, and Cuba Gooding Jr. as an insecure, sometimes awkward individual who loves his friends, but wants something more in his life. Again, it's no masterpiece, it definitely has weak points (such as some scenes in which Gooding is required to show emotion), and predictable scenes, but for the most part, this is a well done movie whose cry for spreading peace is loudly heard.

• Khris N

  
  John Singleton's first major picture, and major success. Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding Jnr's major breakthrough, with Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett supporting. Few words can describe the ultimate ghetto movie. back then, its wake up call to the world to become aware of… More
  John Singleton's first major picture, and major success. Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding Jnr's major breakthrough, with Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett supporting. Few words can describe the ultimate ghetto movie. back then, its wake up call to the world to become aware of the problems of lack teens and LA with gangs and violence beginning to prevail in the streets. Take a look at the lives of three best friends, one, an athlete with the world at his feet, another a gangbanger and the third, a young man stuck between both worlds and in between ideals while also struggling with the problems of love. In the spectrum, we have Angela Basset, a mother on the welfare raising her two sons and her grandchild, and on the other, we have single dad Furious Styles (Fishburne) also raising his son through discipline and morals. Around them is South Central LA, consisting of the Crips, the Bloods and Crenshaw Boulevard. Nitty, gritty, violent and truthful, it protrays hope, despair, hate and love and does bring around the message that there is always and exit to the life of violence many fall into, there is always a way out... Excellent performances and very authentic, this good easily be a story ripped out from the ghetto itself... thousands face the same problems these three face everyday and no other movie tells it better.

• Lenny M

  
  So Fresh but real.

• Aaron N

  
  [Tre answers the phone] Tre Styles: Who dis? Reva Deveraux: "Who dis?" I know you been raised better than that! [Later] Reva Deveraux: Now put your father on the phone. Furious Styles: Who dis? The debut film from director John Singleton surrounding a coming of age story… More
  [Tre answers the phone] Tre Styles: Who dis? Reva Deveraux: "Who dis?" I know you been raised better than that! [Later] Reva Deveraux: Now put your father on the phone. Furious Styles: Who dis? The debut film from director John Singleton surrounding a coming of age story of some young men living in South Central Los Angeles. The story starts out in 1984 where we meet Tre. He is a smart young boy who is obviously influenced by the hood that he lives in as well. His mother, played by Angela Basset, decides to send Tre to live with his father in a nicer part of the hood. Tre's father is played by Laurence Fishburne, who, as if he is not cool enough already, is given the name Furious Styles. Furious wants to be a strong father figure for his son, and goes about doing his best to give him important life lessons and understand right from wrong in different aspects. [Furious has shot at a burglar] Furious: Somebody must have been praying for that fool, cause I swear I aimed right for his head. Tre Age 10: You should have blew it off. Furious Styles: Don't say that. Don't say that. Just would've contributed to the killing of another brother. Cut to seven years later, Tre is now played by Cuba Gooding, Jr. His best friends are Dough Boy, played by Ice Cub, and Ricky, played by Morris Chestnut. Doughboy: Ho's gotta eat too. Shalika: Who you callin' a ho', I ain't no ho'. Doughboy: Oops, I'm sorry, bitch. The movie doesn't as much follow a three-act structure as it does give us a look at the lives of these three main characters and the area they have to grow up in. The coming of age aspects involve Tre's struggle with his virginity, Ricky wanting to achieve an academic scholarship, while Dough Boy lazes around the neighborhood. You still also have Furious imparting as much knowledge as he can to his son. There are of course a number of themes related to the hood as well. Issues involving what the outside world thinks, gentrification, and the seemingly endless gang violence that occurs. The movie doesn't as much try to throw these things into your face as it does give you a look at these problems. The performances are very good. Of course Fishburne and Basset shine, but Gooding and Cube, who broke out from these roles are very good. Chestnut is too, despite not gaining as much notoriety. Singleton's direction is very strong, and for a debut feature he definetely knows what he is doing. A scene early on involving a burglar, certain scenes in the hood, and others involving Furious have different tones but all work together nicely in this film. Written and based off some of his own personal experiences, the story has a very authentic feel, as does much of the dialog, while still holding the coming of age structure. Nice hip hop soundtrack as well. Very good movie. Brandi's Mother: Girl, get your behind in this house and stop looking at those nappy headed boys!

• Alexander W

  
  Great film but far from good xxx Its a bit cheesy to watch these days and is not really interesting unless you are from CA. SO I used to like this when I was young, but found too many simular black gangster films talking about the same things.

• Dean !

  
  A great crime drama about life in the L.A. hood and the effects it has on the life of a young man there.

• xGary X

  
  A reasonable dramatic update of blaxploitation with a musical backdrop of Hip Hop when it used to be more than a lumbering corporate cash cow.

• Jason S

  
  Cuba had his acting chops all the way back when he did this flick.

• James A

  
  This movie taught me that when Gangstas are after you ,dont split up. Also using Cuba Gooding is better than n Omar Gooding.

• Jeffrey M

  
  John Singleton's masterpiece (perhaps only matched by his later Hustle and Flow), Boyz n the Hood is a brilliant social commentary that also serves as an authentic, smart, and important drama. Full of career changing performances, notably from Laurence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding… More
  John Singleton's masterpiece (perhaps only matched by his later Hustle and Flow), Boyz n the Hood is a brilliant social commentary that also serves as an authentic, smart, and important drama. Full of career changing performances, notably from Laurence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding Jr, the film never fails to make its points in an effective, impactful way. Certainly one of the greatest "hood" films ever made.

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