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Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut, Ice Cube, Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne ... see more see more... , Nia Long , Tyra Ferrell , Meta King , Whitman Mayo , Desi Arnez Hines II , Baha Jackson , Donovan McCrary , Hudhail Al-Amir , Lloyd Avery II , Mia Bell , Lexie D. Bigham , Kenneth A. Brown , Nicole Brown , Ceal , Darneicea Corley , John Cothran Jr. , Na'Blonka Durden , Susan Falcon , Jesse Lawrence Ferguson , Dedrick D. Gobert , Redge Green , Kareem J. Grimes , Tammy Hanson , Valentino Harrison , Dee Dee Jacobs , Kirk Kinder , Regina King , Leanear Lane , Don Nelson , Jimmy Lee Newman , Malcolm Norrington , Alysia M. Rogers , Esther Scott , Leonette Scott , Vonte Sweet , Baldwin C. Sykes , Raymond D. Turner , Yolanda Whittaker , John Singleton , Jaki Brown-Karman

Director John Singleton's debut chronicles the trials and tribulations of three young African-American males growing up in South Central Los Angeles. When young Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a bright undera... read more read more...chiever, begins to show signs of trouble, his struggling professional mother (Angela Basset) sends him to live with his father (Lawrence Fishburne), a hard-nosed, no-nonsense disciplinarian. There he befriends Ricky (Morris Chestnut), a burgeoning football star, and Doughboy (Ice Cube, in a standout performance), a would-be gang banger. Over the years, each chooses his own path: Tre seems bound for college; Ricky is a blue-chip running back with his pick of schools; Doughboy is a dope dealer and bona fide gangster who drifts in and out of the county juvenile facility. All is well until, without warning, a rival gang chases down Tre and Ricky with tragic results. Doughboy immediately prepares for revenge, forcing Tre to decide whether to jeopardize his future and, perhaps, his life for the price of revenge and self-respect. Sometimes riveting, Boyz'N the Hood is not without its problems. The film tries to cram every single issue facing the black community into an hour and a half of screen time, making the film seem at times forced. The symbolism seems forced as well, and the film is often unbearably heavy-handed. Also, the characterization often relies on cardboard cut-outs; every white character in the film is a one-dimensional bigot, and the black police officer with whom Tre and his father deal is even worse than his Caucasian counterparts. Still, the unevenness of the film is redeemed by some moments of true brilliance. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

Flixster Users

88% liked it

127,541 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

49 critics

R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: John Singleton

Release Date: July 12, 1991

Keywords: sad, hood

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DVD Release Date: March 6, 2001

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Stats: 5,540 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,540)

  • fb733768972
    May 8, 2012
    fb733768972
    I may be a sucker for drama's, but this film truly shows what life used to be like in "the hood!" It follows three young kids who grow into young adults, who are faced with death defying situations that you feel absolutely obliged to feel sympathy for. The bond between Tre (Cuba ... read moreGooding Jr.) and his father (Lawrence Fishbourne) is some of the best on-screen chemistry I have ever seen. This blaxploitation film represents what most of them lack, a sense of emotion that everyone can relate to, not just someone who already knows about the topic. The acting is (for the most part) terrific, the story is engaging and well paced, and the dialogue flows far too perfectly that it doesn't even feel like you are watching a movie. "Boyz n the Hood" is phenomenal!
  • fb729949618
    August 5, 2011
    fb729949618
    This movie seriously wowed me. Struggle, passion, and heart all tied together and portrayed beautifully on screen. BNTH is very real and one of my favorite films of all time.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    I really enjoyed this film. Poignant story and a definite must see. Cuba Gooding Jr is fantastic! Along with Fishbourne. Heartbreaking that this really does happen on streets in America.
  • cosmo313
    April 7, 2011
    cosmo313
    John Singleton's debut film as a writer director takes a serious subject, and gives it the proper treatment it deserves. The result is a thoughtful, and thought-provoking film about the hardships of growing up in the Hood, and the desire for something better.

    This film was re... read moreleased during the new wave of African American cinema during the mid-late 80s and 90s and serves as a powerful testament to the talent of African American filmmakers and performers. It's got great themes, strong acting, good messages, and does it all in a balanced way (mostly) that tells it like it is without being gratituous or overbearing.

    The film can be a bit melodramatic at times, but this is just a very minor quibble. I really liked the great sense of authenticity and Laurence Fishburne plays a rare role model figure not often seen in these types of films.

    I really enjoyed the cast, especially the strong performances from then newcomers Morris Chestnit, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ice Cube. It's a shame that since then, Chestnut has basically disappeared, Gooding won an Oscar but now does forgetable crap, and Ice Cube has pretty much done the same (minus the Oscar).

    If you haven't seen this one yet, you probably should. It's an important and influential film that's done well, and has a lot of important things to say. If you haven't seen it in a while, then give it a rewatch. It's held up quite well, and still remains relevant.
  • ythelastman89
    May 18, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Almost the only movie that depicts the "Hood" without any type of gimmick or secondary message. John Singleton did a great job at criticizing and humanizing the community and not just making it one big group of stereotypes.The performances are great and the visual style rivals Sp... read moreike Lee at times. This is a relatively easy story to digest because it's not as heavy handed as some other "race" films and the writing isn't so one-noted. It has a purpose and a strong message.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 25, 2010
    sanjurosamurai
    best drama ever made about urban life in america. i would mostly agree that after this film the genre falls apart quickly, but to blame this film would be short sighted. incredible film.
  • djdemersseman
    November 29, 2009
    djdemersseman
    Necessary viewing. The movie manages to simultaneously entertain, enlighten, and excel in the many facets of production--a rare feat in movie-making at any point in history.
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    Yeah it?s good but it?s responsible for a lot of terrible movies! It?s a little sensationalist at times too with maybe a little too much of a stereotypical slant.
  • kiriyamakazou
    September 17, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    Many films are of their time, Boyz N the Hood is a film that seems to be just as relevant today, maybe even more so as the hot-blooded males represented and the short fuses they possess is common in most areas of society. Boyz n the Hood, despite the urban setting and characters ... read moreinvolved in the world of gangs, doesn't play too deep into the racial elements. There are thoughtful and intelligent musings on race, but this isn't a glamorization of the lifestyle, nor is it an angry film that wallows in self pity. It's a well paced drama with the overall feel of both tragedy and hope. The performances are very powerful, with both Gooding Jr. and Ice Cube yet to top their young promise. A rare, unbiased, enthralling and even important film.
  • stormyweather980
    September 14, 2009
    stormyweather980
    Definitely a classic and one of the best films of its type, don't know what else to say.

View All Boyz n the Hood Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
August 25, 2008
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

Even in its warmest moments, there is a fearful chill in this hood's air. And on the hearts of its boyz. Full Review

Variety Staff
March 17, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

An absorbing, smartly made dramatic encyclopedia of problems and ethics in the black community, 1991. Full Review

Duane Byrge
March 17, 2008
Duane Byrge, Hollywood Reporter

A booming, heart slam of a film.

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 9, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Shows some genuine talent in handling character and action, and equal amounts of confusion and attitude when it comes to matters of gender and ghetto politics. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

In this setting, the actors could easily disappear into speeches or stereotypes, but they don't; the film's strength is that it sustains an intimate and realistic tone. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Boyz N the Hood has maturity and emotional depth: There are no cheap shots, nothing is thrown in for effect, realism is placed ahead of easy dramatic payoffs, and the audience grows deeply involved. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

ingleton adroitly lets the emotions wash over the didacticism, his feet placed squarely on direct experience and timeliness. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Boyz N the Hood is a rude, insistent rap, an unflinching, often funny, always compassionate look at coming of age in South Central Los Angeles. Full Review

R. L. Shaffer
January 29, 2012
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD

An incredibly moving, character-rich drama about life in South Central L.A. Full Review

Brian Orndorf
July 12, 2011
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

A coming-of-age story without fluidity, hopping from scene to scene often indiscriminately. Singleton has stamina but lacks connective tissue, messing up development and motivation, unable to juggle t... Full Review

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Facts

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    • Tre Styles: RICKY!
    • Doughboy: Either they don't know...don't show...or don't care about what's going on in the hood.
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  • What Movie had the slogan ' Increase the Peace '  Answer »
  • What 1991 film starring Cuba Gooding Jr. was the one of the inspirations for the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?  Answer »
  • Which movie features the characters Doughboy and Furious Styles?  Answer »
  • Who played the character doughboy in the movie Boyz n the Hood?  Answer »
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