Set It Off (1996)
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63% of critics liked it
(24 reviews) -
85% of users liked it
(53,346 ratings)
The sophomore film effort from music video director F. Gary Gray, Set It Off is a crime thriller about four women bank robbers from a housing project in L.A. Ever since her parents' death, Stony (Jada Pinkett Smith) has had to act as a parent to her little brother Stevie (Chaz Lamar Shepard).… More The sophomore film effort from music video director F. Gary Gray, Set It Off is a crime thriller about four women bank robbers from a housing project in L.A. Ever since her parents' death, Stony (Jada Pinkett Smith) has had to act as a parent to her little brother Stevie (Chaz Lamar Shepard). She works in various capacities to make a future for him at U.C.L.A. Cleo (Queen Latifah) is a butch lesbian who wants nothing more than to customize her classic car. Tisean (Kimberly Elise) is a painfully shy single mother to her son Jajuan, struggling to make ends meet. Frankie (Vivica A. Fox) is the stylish bank teller who gets fired in the opening scene and ends up working with the other three at a janitorial service owned by irritating boss Luther (Thomas Jefferson Byrd). With Frankie upset from her unjust firing, Stony angry from the wrongful killing of her brother, and Tisean losing her baby to the child protective services, the four friends are motivated to rob a bank themselves. Looking for thrills, Cleo gets some guns from Black Sam (Dr. Dre in a cameo role), and they pull off their first job without a hitch. Their success starts a trend and they rob other banks in the area, all the while being investigated by Detective Strode (John C. McGinley). In a romantic subplot, Stony finds romance with wealthy Harvard-educated Keith (Blair Underwood) before the violent chase-scene ending. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Directed By
- F. Gary Gray
- Written By
- Takashi Bufford, Kate Lanier
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
R,
- In Theaters
- Nov 6, 1996 Wide
- Studio
- New Line Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, Variety
Influenced by Thelma & Louise and Waiting to Exhale, this well-crafted Girls N the Hood has social conscience and soul; Queen Latifah gives a career-making performance that should made her a big Hollywood star
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Chris Cabin, Filmcritic.com
Despite Gray's galvanic ability with action sequences, there are very few surprises to be found in Set It Off
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Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
One of the rare movies sporting great action sequences and a ring of truth.
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Larry Carroll, Countingdown.com
A tense, original caper film full of excellent performances, particularly by Queen Latifah
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Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
Fierce and emotionally resonant action-drama, anchored by four smart performances.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jada Pinkett Smith
as Stony
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Queen Latifah
as Cleo
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Vivica A. Fox
as Frankie
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Kimberly Elise
as Tisean
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John C. McGinley
as Detective Strode
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Blair Underwood
as Keith
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Chaz Lamar Shepherd
as Stevie
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Dr. Dre
as Black Sam
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Vincent Baum & Van
as Jajuan
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Darryl Gibson
as Bundy
