Critic's Grade: A+

A powerful look at life in the hood, and proven to be one of the top 5 films of 2001.

Jody (Tyrese- Love Sove) is 20 years old. He has two kids, no job, a girlfriend, and still lives at home with his mother (A. J. Johnson- The Beast, House Party). He lives in South Central, L.A. and is trying to have big dreams in a small place. He goes through hard times when he learns that his mother has a new man (Ving Rhames- Mission: Impossible 2, Undisputed) in her life. His girlfriend Yvette (Taraji P. Henson) is having problems when she loses their baby, and her ex-boyfriend Rodney (Snoop Dogg- Bones, Training Day) won't leave her alone.

Jody is forced to grow up and become a man, when Rodney comes to town and begins to ruin his life. On Jody's side is his best friend and homie Pea (Omar Gooding- TV's Smart Guy).

Jody also goes through hardships, when he is beaten up by gang members, and his girlfriend and him break up. A recurring dream about him getting murdered, is also haunting him and is making him act different.

His relationship with his girl also takes a dive for the worse when she discovers that he's been sleeping with numerous women, and in a heated moment he slaps her in the face.

The film ends with Jody making a decesion that will change the life of his and everyone he ever knew. A secret that is.....

A dramatic tale that delivers and is well written and directed. John Singelton whose previous films "BOYZ N' THE HOOD", and "SHAFT" were great returns for an excellent movie.

Gibson who garnered fame from being #1 in the music industry, proves he can act and brings the character of Jody to life. He graces the screen perfectly and does the job well. His chemistry with the other actors is absolutely wonderful and the realness of his performance shows his limits.

With Gibson in the lead role, other performances that were extrordinary were delivered by Gibson's real-life girlfriend Taraji P. Henson whose perofmance as Yvette was great. Omar Gooding whose brother is Academy Award winning actor Cuba Gooding, Jr., A. J. Johnson, Snoop Dogg, Ving Rhames and Tamara LaSeon Bass who portrays Jody's baby mother deliver award winning performances.

Some of the situations dealt with in the film are ordinary situations that sheds light to everything. From having kids, to abbuse, to murder, to growing up

The film also adds a bit of comedy to the film and the music is aggressive and loud just like the film. The creations of what life in the hood is like is so true to the real hood that it makes it worth while.

A truely good film that is astounding, wonderful and on my list one of the top 2 movies of 2001.

Out of a possible 4 stars, I give this movie 4 stars.

All Reviews by James Edwards
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