Juice (1992)

83% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(46,320 ratings)

Cinematographer Ernest R. Dickerson directed and co-wrote this crime drama about a group of friends who get involved in a robbery. Bishop (Tupac Shakur), Q (Omar Epps), Raheem (Khalil Kain), and Steel (Jermaine Hopkins) are four Harlem friends who spend their days skipping school, getting in fights,… More Cinematographer Ernest R. Dickerson directed and co-wrote this crime drama about a group of friends who get involved in a robbery. Bishop (Tupac Shakur), Q (Omar Epps), Raheem (Khalil Kain), and Steel (Jermaine Hopkins) are four Harlem friends who spend their days skipping school, getting in fights, and casually shoplifting. The only member of the group who has plans for the future is Q, who dreams of becoming a deejay. But one day Bishop happens to see James Cagney in White Heat and the film inspires him to buy a gun. His plan is to rob a corner store and split the money. Everyone goes along with the plan except for Q, who is competing that night in a deejay contest. At the club, Q is a rousing success, but he spies the stern faces of his friends through the cheering crowd and realizes that he has to go along with the robbery, which goes completely wrong. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Ernest R. Dickerson
Written By: Gerard Brown, Ernest R. Dickerson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

On DVD: Jan 16, 2001
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Dickerson and co-writer Gerard Brown exhibit a sharp ear for dialog and have some real finds in their largely unknown cast...
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Mr. Dickerson, whose cinematography has been the reason Spike Lee's films look so good, has a terrific eye and some juice of his own.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
I'm sure Dickerson has strong feelings about inner-city problems, but if he does he can't convey them.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie generates a real tension in its closing passages, as it shows its characters trapped in a plot that seems to be unfolding according to its own merciless logic.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Coming out from behind Spike Lee's camera, Ernest Dickerson has instantly arrived at the forefront of the new wave of black directors. His film aims for the gut, and hits it.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
An above-average story of four "boys in the hood."
, Time Out
Stylishly shot, it works well as a thriller; the result is energetic and entertaining, without the feeling of difficult truths being forgotten.
Clint Morris, Film Threat
Commanding performances mesh with solid storytelling
Ed Gonzalez, Apollo Guide
A Hitchcockian moment in an elevator is perhaps the film's signature set piece.
Kathleen Maher, Austin Chronicle
Dickerson's story of street kids at risk breaks no new ground. It is better than most, but not by much. Sure looks good, though.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Despite the script's reliance on familiar cliches, the film never feels like an exploitation thriller, as we genuinely feel for these kids and the life they've fallen into.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Another 'Boyz N the Hood' type film it has to be said although this film is almost as well known with a cult following in the genre. Nothing too surprising about the plot, every aspect is predictable and cliched these days, I personally enjoyed the start of the film as the… More
Another 'Boyz N the Hood' type film it has to be said although this film is almost as well known with a cult following in the genre. Nothing too surprising about the plot, every aspect is predictable and cliched these days, I personally enjoyed the start of the film as the young teens get ready for school showing classic early 90's styles which also harked back to the 80's. I found the film enjoyable to watch as a trip down memory lane in terms of clothing, ways of speech, age of the stars (Shakur with hair!) seeing a certain early 'Street Fighter' video game being played in an old arcade hehe I like things like that. As the plot moves forward it does get pretty obvious, Shakur being yet another gun totting hoodie and really giving himself a bad screen image in my view, Epps never was a decent actor really and doesn't really impress here, much the same as other cast members, nothing too stand out. A film of its time for sure, a bit funny to watch now but I'm sure fans of the genre will enjoy, anyone else don't expect too much but I'm sure most would have guessed that right from the start.
danny d

the first time we really get to see tupac's talent, and he plays a truly vicious character in this film. in this lifestyle things can turn quickly, and the film shows us a great example of how the wrong kind of friends can be the death of any of us.
Alexander W

Great film! Recommended.
EightThirty .

Tupac is a legend
xGary X

One of a rash of dramas from the "hood" that appeared in the early nineties to cash in on the burgeoning popularity of hip hop. A decently acted and scripted urban drama that feels a little exploitative, and many of the characters types have become familiar cliches. Not bad… More
One of a rash of dramas from the "hood" that appeared in the early nineties to cash in on the burgeoning popularity of hip hop. A decently acted and scripted urban drama that feels a little exploitative, and many of the characters types have become familiar cliches. Not bad though.
Suneel J

A compelling story about 4 teenagers that get caught up in a bad situation. The film's first half is similar to Boyz in the Hood, but the second half is a more refined, sleek, and dark film of its own originality. It features top-notch acting performances from Omar Epps and the… More
A compelling story about 4 teenagers that get caught up in a bad situation. The film's first half is similar to Boyz in the Hood, but the second half is a more refined, sleek, and dark film of its own originality. It features top-notch acting performances from Omar Epps and the late, Tupac Shakur. It is an underrated film that shows how hanging with the wrong crowd can lead to the end of you. In the end, it's a good film that centers around friendship and social issues that plague troubled youths.
Fascade F

A classic hip hop treat...how far would you go for JUICE (respect)? Crew goes all out only one has the most JUICE...with a price. Nice lesson for life, in "the asphalt jungle" of NYC for teenagers.
Brian R

Good film. Dickerson who was Spike Lee's cinematographer worked up the ranks and is now a filmmaker, his debut film feels at home I admired the characters specially Omar Epps character who is into turntables and DJ'ing. The music is great. I felt like I knew the NYC culture… More
Good film. Dickerson who was Spike Lee's cinematographer worked up the ranks and is now a filmmaker, his debut film feels at home I admired the characters specially Omar Epps character who is into turntables and DJ'ing. The music is great. I felt like I knew the NYC culture and the cast.
rocko p

The story of 4 friends struggling for respect on the streets of 80's Harlem. Tupac Shakurs role is something to talk about. His anger and frustration, bottled at first, suddenly erupts and you find yourself having little sympathy for the guy until you clue in on where his anger… More
The story of 4 friends struggling for respect on the streets of 80's Harlem. Tupac Shakurs role is something to talk about. His anger and frustration, bottled at first, suddenly erupts and you find yourself having little sympathy for the guy until you clue in on where his anger stems from.
Lee K

Cool flick, was always nice to see tupac on the screen (r.i.p.)good storyline, tupac played a great bad ass!

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Omar Epps as Quincy "Q"

            Tupac Shakur as Bishop

            Jermaine Hopkins as Steel

            Khalil Kain as Raheem

            Cindy Herron as Yolanda

            Vincent Laresca as Radames

            Samuel L. Jackson as Trip

            Michael Badalucco as Detective Kelly

            Darien Berry as Blizzard

            Victor Campos as Quites

            Rony Clanton as Detective Markham

            Sharon Cook as Record Store Clerk

            John Di Benedetto as Cop #3

            Jacqui Dickerson as Sweets

            Dr. Dre as Contest Judge

            Norman Douglass as Cop #2

            Fab 5 Freddy as Himself

            Donald Faison as Student

            Randy Frazier as Steel's Father

            George O. Gore as Brian

            Birdie M. Hale as Bishop's Grandma

            Linda Harris as Keesha

            Joe and Eddie as Bartender

            Lauren Jones as Raheem's Mother

            Oran "Juice" Jones as Snappy Nappy Dugout

            Mark "Flex" Knox as Contest Auditioner

            Queen Latifah as Ruffhouse M.C.

            Ed Lover as Contest Judge

            Mitchell Marchand as Kid at Trip's

            John Patrick McLaughlin as Cop #1

            Corwin Moore as Sam

            Eric Payne as Frank

            La Tanya Richardson as Steel's Mother

            Christopher Rubin as Doctor

            Erik Sermon as Bar Patron

            Parrish Smith as Bar Patron

            Juanita Troy-Keitt as Homeless Woman

            L.B. Williams as Bishop's Father

            Grace Garland as Quincy's Mother

            Maggie Rush as Myra

            Jaki Brown-Karman
            
            Pablo Guzman as TV Reporter

            Idina Harris
            
            Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins
            
See full cast