All though the story reflects on something serious, which to me is mainly the way too easy access to guns teenagers have in the big cities in the states it just doesn't work. There are so many annoying things about this flick. Mainly the lousy action from all the black kids in the movie. And I'm not a a racist or anything but they really do suck. The only one of them that does a half-descent job is Bokeem Woodbine. But his character is so dumb and makes so many stupid decisions that screws up his life more and more until he finally goes to jail for a murder he didn't commit, that it makes it very hard for the viewer to feel any sympathy for him. He might never have had a chance because hes black and poor and blah blah blah but that doesn't excuse complete ignorance.The only actors that does a good job is the always wonderful Michael Biehn as Mathhew Macrae and Craig Wasson as the disgusting arms-dealer that sell guns to kids on the street. And also all the other white actors in the film. But again, this is not because I'm a racist, there are many great black actors, but not in this film. And the soundtrack is sooo annoying. That rap-music that pops up every time Diquan meets some of his homies+ the lousy acting from all of them makes it impossible to take those scenes seriously.And some people might see Biehns character as a bad-guy but I see him as a hard-working, honest cop, who might be using Diquan but really just wants to stop the gun-dealing on the streets but unfortunately gets the moron Diquan as his informant. And thats how real cops work.

I thought this was a superb hood movie. I don't know why it isn't up their with all the other good ones.It has an original story. Plenty of good plot development. The acting was good most of the time. Sometimes it would seem a tiny bit bad but all and all it was pretty good. Bokeem Woodbine who plays the main character stands out, as does Fredro Starr who plays his friend. Also good acting by some of the younger members of the cast.One thing that stood out was the soundtrack. Not just because it was rap music and this is a hood movie, the songs were appropriate to what was happening at the time in the movie.Another good thing was the directing. Great job Forest Whitaker! That stood out as well. Overall it should prove to be an entertaining, exciting and powerful movie with a powerful message. Another must see for hood movie fans.

Although this is a credible story with good directing, I found the characters not very believable and some of the acting over done. Bokeem Woodbine as Diquan Mitchell is okay, but the turnaround in his state of mind at the end of the show is quite astonishing.The ending leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Sure, it may be intentional but it unravels the whole point of the movie. What I thought was the story of a ex-con trying to make good his life suddenly ends in a socio drama reflecting the sad situation of the black community in Brooklyn. Everything seems to be a wasted effort -- there's just no conclusion.

This is an absolutley great film. Forest Whiteka has excelled himself with a great detailed account of the lives of young black youths struggling through poverty to survive. The director of photography has chosen some brilliant urban backdrops to set the picture alive, almost as if you're a third person view within the film. The story is compelling and well structured, sure it's been done before, but it's the way it has been done that makes this movie so interesting to watch. Has some classic elements of other films such as The Warriors in places, but this only adds to the surreal effect being created here by Forest!It also has some of the most shocking scenes from the 1993 era. A definite must see for urban-gangsta fans everywhere. Bokeem displays an amazing performance.Why it wasn't a video release seems beyond me.