A Movie Review: Straight Outta Compton

Straight Outta Compton. This movie follows the true life story of the rap group NWA. We're first introduced to Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), a small time drug dealer who narrowly escapes the LAPD. We soon meet Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), the lyrical genius who writes while on the bus, and Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), the producer extraordinaire. Outside a night club, Dr. Dre gets arrested. Eazy-E bails him out. In the process, the two discuss exploring the music world together. With the help of Ice Cube, they produce a record which becomes a big hit. In comes Jerry Heller (Paul Glamatti) to bring some structure and promotional power to NWA.

This is an engaging movie. You really find yourself cheering for Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy-E.

I did have some issues with this movie; however. It seems that Eazy-E is the only member of the band that is shown to have a real dark side. The others are almost viewed as angels -- well, excluding the orgies. Any negative light on the character of Dr. Dre and Ice Cube are more issues of discussion versus being viewed on screen. For example, Dr. Dre's girlfriend Nicole (Elena Goode) mentions her worries about the violence that swirls around NWA.

I think the movie introduces too many individuals without any real explanation. I think Nicole is the only person that is provided an introduction. How did Eazy-E and Ice Cube meet their future wives? They're suddenly just there. Suge Knight (R. Marcos Taylor) just shows up at a pool party one day and we have to assume that he's an important character. I do understand that the movie is covering a lot of time, but it would be nice to get some intros. For example, Eazy-E having to deal with AIDS is slowly introduced to us via his constant coughing and so it isn't a surprise when it is found that he has the deadly disease.

As for Jerry Heller being portrayed as the lone bad guy. Yes, it sounds about right, but part of me also thinks that Eazy-E has to take his share of the blame. If you are considered the leader, you can't be naive and once you've learned that you've screwed over your friends -- via by not fully understanding what Jerry did -- you have an obligation to make things right.