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Set It Off Details

1996 DVD Certificate 18.gif
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 1459 members

After a lifetime of being exploited by unscrupulous employers, pushed around by sleazy boyfriends, persecuted by the police, and unable to escape from the undertow of ghetto life by socially approved means, a quartet of Angelina women arm themselves to the teeth and bust up banks in this provocative and intriguing social drama. Read more

Starring Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise
Director F. Gary Gray
Genres Action/Adventure, Drama, Thriller

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Set It Off

After a lifetime of being exploited by unscrupulous employers, pushed around by sleazy boyfriends, persecuted by the police, and unable to escape from the undertow of ghetto life by socially approved means, a quartet of Angelina women arm themselves to the teeth and bust up banks in this provocative and intriguing social drama.

Starring Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise, Blair Underwood, John C. McGinley
Director F. Gary Gray
Studio ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO
Run time DVD: 1 hr 57 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate 18.gif
Genres Action/Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Language English
Subtitles English
Released DVD: 01 Jan 2007
Production year: 1996
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (6) of Set It Off

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Four down-on-their-luck African-American women from Los Angeles — resentful of the “system” — band together to pull off a string of bank robberies to improve their lives, though their crime spree leads to as many problems as it solves. The subplots are numerous, resulting in romance, serious statements about ghetto life and thrilling bullet-strewn action scenes being crammed in together, yet they still manage to grab the attention. Jada Pinkett, now Mrs Will Smith, does well in the lead, but it's the commanding Queen Latifah who has the acting ability and personality to stand out, though Blair Underwood gives a nice supporting performance. Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes and the Geto Boys feature on the thumping soundtrack.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • "...A well-crafted girls-n-the-hood actioner, with an acute social conscience and plenty of soul....A tale of female bonding and empowerment, this relevant film boasts a terrific cast..."

    • Variety
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of Set It Off

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  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Awesome

    This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, it is still hugely entertaining. It is funny as well as a thriller and will have you on the edge of your seat! Some really sad moments also stand out. This is a classic.

      • A customer from England
      • Posted 09 Feb 2004 21:25

  • Most recent members' review of Set It Off

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Set It Off- Class

    Just thought I'd comment on this fabulous title which took me back to my childhood.

    Sounds weird doesn't it? But I watched Set It Off as a 7 year old child with my older cousins, and however wrong or right it was to watch it at such a young age, this film was imprinted on my mind till this day. I remembered the infamous closing sequence when the character of Stony cuts her plaits off and reminisces of the good times with her pals.

    Ten years on, I was amazed how well my memory served me and watched the film with engagement. I sat my younger brothers down to watch this as I wanted to pass it on and couldn't let them miss out on a great film. They enjoyed it as much as I did and both stated it to being the greatest film they've seen. 'A bit much' I hear you mumble, but I agree with them.

    No film has had such a great affect on me and been stuck on my mind. I even wrote my own disjointed and slightly blurred version of the story from a distorted memory in an exam and my teacher was encapsulated by the story that i passed off as my own.

    Back to the film, it was a very intriguing picture which derived every possible emotion from the audience and I would recommend it to anybody who is interested in an action with a real narrative and heartfelt plot- this film is definitely for you.

    The twists and turns are unpredictable and often quite difficult to view at times, but add to the wonderful experience of what is a film which is, in my opinion, unrivalled in the genre.

    In a word- Class.

      • A customer from Wembley
      • Posted 24 Dec 2008 21:34

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Rating breakdown

1,459 Member ratings
  • 100
261
  • 90
128
  • 80
224
  • 70
220
  • 60
236
  • 50
137
  • 40
92
  • 30
58
  • 20
74
  • 10
29

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      • After a lifetime of being exploited by unscrupulous employers, pushed around by sleazy boyfriends, persecuted by the police, and unable to escape from the undertow of ghetto life by socially approved ...