This is Donald Goines, not some wanna be street wise Tarantino Pulp Fiction junk. This movie will not appeal to those looking for a hero or a silver lining. You don't necessarily have had to live this kind of life, but it helps to understand the characters' motivations. The film doesn't glorify violence, misogyny, or the hustla's lifestyle. Life is not always clearly defined. There is not always a clear line between a hero and a villain. We all make choices and we all have to live with the consequences. You don't have to agree with the lifestyles of the characters in this film, but you should realize that this film was based on the real life experiences of the author. The street life, not as you want it to be, as you wish it to be, but as it is. "Never Die Alone" presents this lifestyle. 'It ain't where you from, it's where you at', not just physically but mentally.

I watched this movie as I read one or two viewers opinions of it. Both must have been white men or women who have lived a protected life. A life that has never been touched by the harsh realities that life as a black person in a large city in the USA faces.I agree that there is no clear hero or villain in this movie. What upsets me about the reviews I read was the lack of compassion the reviewers of this movie had about it.The reviews of this movie that I read clearly have not experienced the terrible reality that this movie portrays.I believe that the persons that dished this movie have never been tested by environment of poverty.I have. I'm white. I can tell you that to spend your youth in settings of LA will test the mettle of anyone.It seems obvious to me that viewers commentaries that I read have not.I didn't like the movie but I thought it was honest.

I was rather impressed with how strong this film is. Having heard not much about it I was expecting another 'In Da Hood' film. I didn't have much confidence in Ernest Dickerson (Surviving the Game, Demon Knight) as his direction hasn't matured in the past decade. I eat my words now. He definitely brings a strong visual integrity to Never Die Alone.DMX turns in a believable performance as King David a New York drug dealer who legs it to LA when he steals his bosses stash. Upon his return years later he is promptly offed by a two-bit thug. In his dying moments he bequeaths his entire legacy to investigative reporter David Arquette (who is great in his role too). Before the night is over Arquette pieces together his life and an awful past full of heinous crimes is unleashed, but it's not over yet and Arquette becomes marked for death by King David's still very angry boss.In a mere 88 minutes Never Die Alone tells an intriguing story in non-chronological order and sets up a remarkable array of complexly interwoven characters. It's surely a character drama first before anything else. Don't misjudge it as being no more than a violent 'gangsta' thriller. The violence is brutal and honest but it does not distract, none of it is superfluous.Dickerson's direction has a Gothic, urban noir edge to it that has the feel of a 1950's pulp novel. It's dark, very dark and some may feel slightly uncomfortable with how frank Never Die Alone is in it's depiction of misogyny and the utter ruthlessness of it's central, highly evil character.The DVD is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound. There are a bunch of extras I never had time to check out. But this is definitely a movie for fans of (the initially unrecognisable) DMX, just don't expect one of those nice but bad characters he played in Exit Wounds or Cradle 2 the Grave. King David is a bad, bad man.

As the movie started out, it was almost too painful to watch. I imagine a few people walked out of the theater before realizing its worth. Not everyone is willing to go through the pain to get to the pleasure. If this movie had been imbued with more class and the corny lines were removed, it had the potential to be a classic. Unfortunately, all we are left with is the train who couldn't. The movie tries and you can feel it saying, "I think I can, I think I can". The weight of the opening act and awkward transition from cheese too wine is just too much for it to crest the hill. In the end we are left with nothing more than what if... What if someone took the time to do this right?