'Straight Outta Compton' A Review

Straight Outta Compton is a musical biopic about hip hop group N.W.A.. In 1986 Compton friends Dr. Dre(Corey Hawkins), Eazy-E(Jason Mitchell), and Ice Cube(O'Shea Jackson Jr.) along with some others formed N.W.A. and recorded their first single "Boyz-n-the-Hood" which started their success and garned the interest of music manager Jerry Heller(Paul Giamatti). From there the group quickly rose to stardom with fresh innovative music with a message. Because of contractual disputes the group bifurcates. The second half of the film follows Ice Cube on his solo career, Dr. Dre as he transitions to Deathrow Records, and the financial problems of Eazy-E and his waning relevance. The film concludes with a reconciliation as Eazy-E finally separates himself from the manipulative Heller.

The story of N.W.A. is fascinating, the characters within compelling, their inspiration vast. The film does a great job of showing the three men behind the group as artists, influenced by the gangster culture they arose from, but not totally a part of it, they use it in order to deliver their powerful message. Not only do the leads look like the men they are slotted to portray their authentic performances back up their superficial similarity. We get a sense of these men as musicians first and foremost with incredible discipline and skill although periodically indulgent in youthful indiscretions. There are issues with money, squabbles over image, but ultimately it is the music and the message, the potential for change and giving voice to the voiceless which drive these men.

The only problem with Straight Outta Compton is its pacing. Clocking in at almost three hours(with previews) the entire second third of the film drags. It is taken up with petty arguments, some scenes essentially repeat themselves in different locations, and the narrative comes to a virtual stand still. The reconciliation of the three leads brings the film to a satisfying close but at that point a lot of the momentum is lost. And because of the time spent on who insulted who on what album much of the socio-political message is blunted.

Great music, a topical message, dynamic performances, a bloated running time.

Rent It.