Menace II Society (1993) DVD Reviews

Starring	Tyrin Turner, Larenze Tate, Vonte Sweet, Jada Pinkett
Director	Allen Hughes, Albert Hughes
Genres	Drama

Critics' reviews (5) of Menace II Society
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A searing, if bleak portrait of life in the 'hood from Allen and Albert Hughes, twins who were just 20 at the time it was made. Tyrin Turner is the surly adolescent, the son of a junkie mother and a drug-pushing dad, who's torn between nice single mom Jada Pinkett or a life of drive-by shootings and petty crime. There's no denying the visceral power of the Hughes Brothers' vision, but — with the exception of Pinkett — it's hard to have sympathy for any of the characters. Though the film is extremely violent, it only fell foul of the UK censor because of a scene offering tips on how to steal a car.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...Fierce, violent and searing in its observation, the film makes all previous excursions seem like a walk in the park....There is a poetry to the images that is immediate and visceral..."
- Variety
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
A harsh and violent movie that sticks close to the expectations of gangster films while claiming to be dealing with reality; its young directors show promise.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Menace II Society
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Entertaining

This is your typical black ghetto drama with quite a predictable outcome but nether the less it is entertaining through and through. From start to finish i was entertained by the characters and the action. Anyone who likes 'Boyz n the Hood' will like, or maybe even love, this. Good Film.
- - Richard Butler from Wakefield, England
  - Posted 31 Aug 2005 18:33
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Best film ever made

This film is brilliant. Especially if you like action packed Gangsta movies. Theres always something happening so you can't possibly get bored and the story line isn't entirely made up because it shows real life in da hood.
- - A customer from Gangsta's Paradise
  - Posted 14 Mar 2005 18:43
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

'What you say bout my mama?'

Still, after 12 years, this story of ghetto survival has remained as powerful and disturbing as it did in its day. The main difference between this and all the other 'in the ghetto' crap is that it doesnt use big names (mainly rap stars) to promote a less than entertaining story line. It seems that every idiot rapper has their own story to tell and its all the same: 'I was once a low down thug who lived in the ghetto, raised by the gun but found that layin down tracks in the recording studio could get me shedloads of money and jewellery'...ABSOLUTE GARBAGE!!!! Anyway im waffling, avoid any movie starring Nelly or 50 Cent but make sure you rent Menace II Society!
- - frenzy-films.co.uk from London, England
  - Posted 29 Jul 2005 14:10
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Menace II Society
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Gritty realism

This film represents in very gritty terms the problems suffered by young black men in the LA ghettos. Jada Pinkett (now Jada Pinkett-Smith) also makes an early performance. You really get an insight into the main character's upbringing and the same things that he experiences really are hppening in America right now (Hurrican Katrina highlighted that). Only downside-the violence was a bit over the top, then again you have to shock in order to wake people up to the truth! 4 out of 5!!!!
- - Smoothy from Essex
  - Posted 05 Oct 2005 16:34
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Better than boyz in the hood

This film is my personal favourite. The storyline and reality of life in the hood is spot on. If you have seen boyz in the hood then you will be amazed at how such a classic film like that can be bettered with a less than well known cast.

Rent it then buy it as you will watch this film 100 times over. Great stuff.
- - jueg21 from teeside
  - Posted 23 May 2005 13:13

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Entertaining

This is your typical black ghetto drama with quite a predictable outcome but nether the less it is entertaining through and through. From start to finish i was entertained by the characters and the action. Anyone who likes 'Boyz n the Hood' will like, or maybe even love, this. Good Film.
- - Richard Butler from Wakefield, England
  - Posted 31 Aug 2005 18:33
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Best film ever made

This film is brilliant. Especially if you like action packed Gangsta movies. Theres always something happening so you can't possibly get bored and the story line isn't entirely made up because it shows real life in da hood.
- - A customer from Gangsta's Paradise
  - Posted 14 Mar 2005 18:43
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

'What you say bout my mama?'

Still, after 12 years, this story of ghetto survival has remained as powerful and disturbing as it did in its day. The main difference between this and all the other 'in the ghetto' crap is that it doesnt use big names (mainly rap stars) to promote a less than entertaining story line. It seems that every idiot rapper has their own story to tell and its all the same: 'I was once a low down thug who lived in the ghetto, raised by the gun but found that layin down tracks in the recording studio could get me shedloads of money and jewellery'...ABSOLUTE GARBAGE!!!! Anyway im waffling, avoid any movie starring Nelly or 50 Cent but make sure you rent Menace II Society!
- - frenzy-films.co.uk from London, England
  - Posted 29 Jul 2005 14:10
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Gritty realism

This film represents in very gritty terms the problems suffered by young black men in the LA ghettos. Jada Pinkett (now Jada Pinkett-Smith) also makes an early performance. You really get an insight into the main character's upbringing and the same things that he experiences really are hppening in America right now (Hurrican Katrina highlighted that). Only downside-the violence was a bit over the top, then again you have to shock in order to wake people up to the truth! 4 out of 5!!!!
- - Smoothy from Essex
  - Posted 05 Oct 2005 16:34
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Better than boyz in the hood

This film is my personal favourite. The storyline and reality of life in the hood is spot on. If you have seen boyz in the hood then you will be amazed at how such a classic film like that can be bettered with a less than well known cast.

Rent it then buy it as you will watch this film 100 times over. Great stuff.
- - jueg21 from teeside
  - Posted 23 May 2005 13:13
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Good Gangster Movie!

This Movie Has A Really Good Story Line To It,It Actually Shows You What It's Like For People Who Are Growing Up In The Hood,If You Like Gangsta Films You'll Like This,It's Action Packed Aswell.
- - Pete Smith/tina from In The Uk
  - Posted 30 Nov 2004 14:35
Not Good

If ther were no f%%'ing words then this dvd would still be CRAP.
- - Fred Stevenson from Poulton-Le-Fylde
  - Posted 20 Apr 2005 03:15
At last on dvd

Coming off the back of boyz n the hood this is another great film, with a young cast, but great actors a young mrs will smith and larenz tate who really can go on to greater things judging by his performance a must if you like a bit of grit.
- - kopite from lancs
  - Posted 04 Aug 2004 20:24
Cracking Urban film

This is one of the best films of its genre, Larenze Tate shines as O Dogg.

True gritty action from the renowned Hughes Bros.
- - kendall from west yorkshire
  - Posted 24 Nov 2004 23:26
Must see!

Doesn't come far behind Boyz n the hood, great film if your into L.A. gangster films, lots of violence and drugs etc which is expected and is a film that i have watched more than once and would watch again.Recommended
- - TashaFromBury from Tottington
  - Posted 13 Mar 2007 19:40

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Critics' reviews (5)
A searing, if bleak portrait of life in the 'hood from Allen and Albert Hughes, twins who were just 20 at the time it was made. Tyrin Turner is the surly adolescent, the son of a junkie mother and a drug-pushing dad, who's torn between nice single mom Jada Pinkett or a life of drive-by shootings and petty crime. There's no denying the visceral power of the Hughes Brothers' vision, but — with the exception of Pinkett — it's hard to have sympathy for any of the characters. Though the film is extremely violent, it only fell foul of the UK censor because of a scene offering tips on how to steal a car.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...Fierce, violent and searing in its observation, the film makes all previous excursions seem like a walk in the park....There is a poetry to the images that is immediate and visceral..."
- Variety
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
A harsh and violent movie that sticks close to the expectations of gangster films while claiming to be dealing with reality; its young directors show promise.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
"...A very flashy debut....Crackling ensemble acting..."
- New York Times
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...Groundbreaking..."
- Rolling Stone
- Posted 11 Mar 2005