Straight Outta Compton Movie Review

Photo Courtesy from Jaimie Trueblood/Universal Pictures

“Straight Outta Compton”, directed by F. Gary Gray,  was released on Aug. 14. The movie was a biography based off of the impact that Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren, together known as ‘80s hip-hop group N.W.A., had on the music industry. The group focused on the struggles of living in Compton during this time period and it reflected well on their music. The film is also significant because it mirrors some parts of the country today.

“Straight Outta Compton” opens with a scene that takes place in Compton, Calif. in 1986. Eric Wright, known as Eazy-E, was introduced into the movie when he was pictured making a drug deal. The scene is dark and the music becomes intense as law enforcement shortly arrives.  This primary scene sets the tone for the controversial “reality rap” N.W.A. released.

Songs that were featured on the N.W.A.'s album expressed their frustration with everyday life in the ‘hood as they experienced it, including police brutality. Ice Cube referred to their music as “reality rap” because they were expressing their frustration with the reality of society without censoring the truth. One of their songs was explicit enough towards the police to get attention from the FBI. The group had to continuously defend themselves and their music.

The rap group went through the obstacles many artists go through. Most of the rappers did not get proper recognition for their work and did not receive royalty payments. Their careers and personal relationships with each other were tested. They were also forced to focus on important matters to their brotherhood outside their music careers when Eazy-E was diagnosed with HIV.

“Straight Outta Compton” was put together well. The casting is notable. O’ Shea Jackson Jr., Ice Cube’s son, was cast to play Ice Cube in the movie. Many fans thought that he was hired to play Ice Cube only because of their father-son relationship. However, Jackson Jr. studied the script for two years before auditioning. Jackson Jr. made every mannerism, attitude, and appearance precise and did his father’s character justice. The rest of the actors did their characters justice as well. Any N.W.A. fan that has seen their performances will be able to notice how accurate the NWA is portrayed in the film. In addition, N.W.A.’s most popular songs and shows were featured. The audience is able to follow their success and their setbacks chronologically throughout the movie.

The director also did an exceptionally good job portraying the anger expressed by N.W.A. and their fans. Their fans lived the reality that N.W.A. experienced and police brutality was a reoccurring theme for them. Each member of N.W.A. experienced this even when they were simply walking down the street. The movie presented their obstacle and their connection with their fans well.

The beating of Rodney King was also shown. King was a taxi driver that was beaten by the LAPD. Police brutality is still an issue that people face on a daily basis. The music, history and honesty is what made this movie relatable to N.W.A. fans.

The movie could have been enhanced by including information about the conspiracies behind Eazy-E’s diagnosis. The movie did not include this occurrence whatsoever, although there are rumors that he was murdered by being injected with the HIV virus. Nevertheless, the film did a wonderful job of recreating the history N.W.A. made.