Title: Straight Outta Compton
MPAA Rating: R
Director: F. Gary Gray
Starring: Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, O’Shea Jackson Jr.
Runtime: 2 hrs 27 mins

What It Is: A semi-autobiographical (they produced it) look at one of hip-hop’s seminal groups N.W.A (N***az With Attitude) a group which brought us both Dr. Dre and Ice Cube (and to a certain extent Bones, Thugs and Harmony) as well as including Eazy E, DJ Yella, and MC Ren. It “chronic”les (I’m so sorry) the origins of the group from their humble beginnings in Compton, California to their rise as raps most infamous group. Likewise we’ll see the catalyst for their breakup and the evolution of Eric “Eazy E” Wright’s disease.

What We Think: This is one of the year’s most surprising films. Looking at all the early trailer they suggested this would be a raucous riot of a film. To some extent that’s an accurate snapshot, but that’s just it, it was not as degenerate as I thought. That alone is awesome. It is a sincere look, well as sincere as gangsta rap can be. Wonderfully acted by it’s young cast. Jason Mitchell absolutely kills it as Eazy-E and what I initially thought was nepotism in casting O’Shea Jackson Jr. to play his dad worked out incredibly well. Now lets talk about the true star of this movie, the music! Not only do you get music from N.W.A. but also a plethora of 1990’s gangsta rap and hip-hop, including the introduction of Snoop Dogg, and Tupac.

Our Grade: A-, Certainly a surprise that this film turned out as good as it did, but honestly I loved it! I’m going to recommend this film to everyone! However at this point most of you have already seen this. Surprising performance, sharp direction and an absolutely gut-wrenching (if incorrectly paced) final act.