Coming-of-age story set in South Central Los Angeles is director John Singleton's 'counterpart' to his 1991 debut Boyz n the Hood about a puerile, twenty-year-old black youth named Jody who lives at home, mooches off his mother, and refuses to embrace manhood despite having fathered two children with two different women. His life reaches a crossroads when his mother's ex-con boyfriend-turned-legitimate businessman Melvin (Rhames) moves into their house, and his girlfriend's volatile ex Rodney (Snoop Dogg) is released from prison. Covers familiar ground, to be sure, and is excessively raunchy at times, but there and poignant and compelling themes, startling, authentic scenes, and top shelf acting from a supremely talented cast. ***

Baby Boy (2001): Dir: John Singleton / Cast: Tyrese Gibson, Omar Gooding Jr., Ving Rhames, Snoop Dogg, Adrienne-Joi Johnson: Inspiring film about growing up with Tyrese Gibson as a twenty year old who lives at home but he is a father himself of two children by different women. He drives his girlfriend home from the abortion clinic then he borrows her car to go visit other women. To make money he resorts to selling stolen female clothing. His sister is involved with an ex con who is trying to go straight. Outside the house Gibson is involved in gang wars with his best friend. His girlfriend's ex-boyfriend is getting out of prison and decides to move in with her. The conclusion is violent and somewhat corrupt but director John Singleton who is famous for Boyz N the Hood establishes interesting visual moments. Gibson is superb as a young man pretending to grip reality rather than face adulthood even though some decisions were extremely unwise. Omar Gooding Jr. as his best friend is into gang wars and finalizing one of Gibson's personal wars. Snoop Dogg makes a good impression as a criminal who forces his way and meets consequences. Ving Rhames is compelling as an ex-con building for acceptance. Adrienne-Joi Johnson plays Gibson's mother who urges him to grow up. Theme addresses women involved with men who aren't emotionally ready to commit. Score: 9 / 10

I felt BABY BOY exposed and condemned certain stereotypes, not just merely perpetuated them. The film isn't a typical 2-hour disposable entertainment that's packed with cliché. It's a thoughtful drama that asks everyone watching which character they most closely resemble. "Which jerk are you most like?" It's the story of a self-described "man" REALIZING he's actually an immature boy in a man's body. Know anyone like that? Male? Female? I'm the whitest white guy you'll ever meet, and BABY BOY is one of the few "black films" that didn't insult me by perpetuating black (or merely human)stereotypes in an IRRESPONSIBLE way. In the black characters, I saw countless white people I have had the displeasure of knowing (and a few I resemble myself). It's not about BLACK or WHITE. It's about JACKASSES in any color, gender, shape or size. Pay attention. Leap over that color barrier. Hated SHAFT, though! Ugh.

Baby Boy (2001) has to be the best film John Singleton has made in his decade and a half directorial career. What separates this movie from others is how real life the situations are in this movie. People like this exist in all different races, ethnicities and social standings. I guess people were turned off by the "gangsta" element. I don't know why because it's just an excellent film that has brilliant acting and writing. Surprise is an understatement, when I saw this movie on video I couldn't believe that this was made by the same director who made Shaft and that schlocky Higher Learning. Too bad Singleton had to sell out again and make Too Fast, Too Furious.The movie follows the life of Jody, an unemployed roustabout who has two kids with two different women. He doesn't do anything and whines to anyone who'll listen to him. Jody takes no responsibility for his actions and blames them on others. One day his life begins to change when his mother get's involved with a world wise former knuckle head (VIng Rhames). Even though his actions and words are too straight forward for a young pup like Jody, he tries to get him to look at life from a reality perspective instead of hanging on his mother's apron strings. Jody likes to run around with his buddy Sweetpea and spend time with his babies momma. One of his girlfriends has a man (Snoop Dogg) who's waiting to get out of the pen and claim what he thinks is his. Can Jody get his life together or will the streets and his own stupidity and lack of accepting adulthood bring him down.Like I said, this is a great movie that was over looked by the viewing public. John Singleton should make more movies like this instead of trying to make a block buster. If you want to see a hard hitting drama that'll entertain as well as educate, this is the film for you. Highest recommendation possible.