Turn It Up (2000)

8% of critics liked it
(38 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(1,780 ratings)

Prakazrel Michel, better known as Pras from the top-selling R&B group The Fugees, stars in this urban drama based on both his solo album Ghetto Superstar and his novel of the same name. Diamond (Pras) is an up-and-coming musician who is trying to use his creative gifts to work his way out of the… More Prakazrel Michel, better known as Pras from the top-selling R&B group The Fugees, stars in this urban drama based on both his solo album Ghetto Superstar and his novel of the same name. Diamond (Pras) is an up-and-coming musician who is trying to use his creative gifts to work his way out of the ghetto after the traumatic death of his mother. But he soon discovers that the music industry is nearly as corrupt and dangerous as the streets he's trying to leave behind, and Diamond is guided into a life of crime by his shady friend Gage (Ja Rule). In addition, Diamond must content with the unexpected pregnancy of his girlfriend Tamara (Tamala Jones), and attempts by his father Cliff (Vondie Curtis-Hall) to mend their contentious relationship. Turn It Up, which was produced under the title Ghetto Superstar, also features Eugene Clark and Patricia Velasquez. Madonna helped to produce the film through her production company, Madguy Films. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Robert Adetuyi
Written By: Robert Adetuyi
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 6, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Mar 20, 2001
Studio: New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

Robert Koehler, Variety
Turn It Up is a hip-hop downer that makes the high-risk high-life of contempo gangstas seem glumly routine.
Christy Lemire, Associated Press
Surprisingly, for a movie about music, the sound is lousy. Some of the songs sound distorted because they have so much bass. In other moments, the dialogue is so low, it's hard to understand what the characters are saying.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
It has action and violence, to be sure, but it may prove considerably more serious and uncompromising than its audience expected.
Ernest Hardy, Film.com
As both writer and director, Adetuyi doesn't bother bringing any emotional or psychological twists or nuances to these familiar character types; he gives them no depth whatsoever.
Vicky Edwards, Chicago Tribune
The film uses every standard urban drama story line in the book.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
What's pathetic is that Turn It Up halfway wants its hero to serve as a role model, but neither the hero nor the movie is prepared to walk the walk.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
In the final analysis it's more exploitative than uplifting.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
It lacks characters engaging enough to keep us involved.
Jeremiah Kipp, Filmcritic.com
Never aspires to be more than an excuse for Pras and Ja Rule to flash their ultra-sleek MTV fashions for 90 minutes.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
It lacks the originality and integrity that might have allowed the movie to breakout from the pack rather than sticking with it.
Cynthia Fuchs, Nitrate Online
A lot of movies are predictable, of course, but this one seems inordinately determined to squash its characters (and performers) flat with its lack of imagination.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
This is perhaps the worst film of its kind to see a theatrical release.
, E! Online
Used to be called Ghetto Superstar, but it should've been called Ghetto Stereotype -- 'cause it's full of 'em.
Jim Judy, Screen It!
The whole tie-in with crime and 'gangstas' has been covered so many times in rap music videos that the film ends up feeling like recycled tripe.
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel, 3BlackChicks Review
This was one long and very bad music video.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
None of this is remotely compelling, and first-time writer/director Robert Adetuyi doesn't develop anything resembling a style.