I'll never be able to explain what keeps me coming back to urban dramas even when I've expressed my occasional distaste for many. Maybe it comes from the hope that as the years go by, there will be one urban drama that shakes up the genre and challenges old concepts and writing. However there are films like True to the Game that makes me believe the genre has gotten too comfortable.The film, based on the based selling novel by Teri Woods, follows Quadir (Columbus Short), a well established street hustler. He began to have thoughts of stepping out of the game after falling for Gina (Erica Peeples) and receiving threats from others taking over his position.Usually by this point, I try to say something positive about the movie, but frankly, I just don't have much to say at all about this. It's your typical run of the mill urban drama and no plot point or actor can elevate the material past that. While the movie does have some occasionally nice lighting, it's not long till almost every scenery looks artificial to the eye. The editing is even stranger, when it almost immediately changes scenes after someone is shot or a short time to react from a shooting.The one thing that bothers me the most about the film is the lack of emotional impact. There's one scene in particular near the end of the film, that's supposed to be a emotional moment, but is so rushed like the rest of the film and the rest of the film slogs even further down a hole it can't crawl out of.I haven't read the book to True to the Game, but I feel the movie gives me the feeling I'm not missing much at all. While I commend them trying to make material with a very small budget, it doesn't make up for lazy writing, unengaged acting or the lace front beards almost every male has on.

I watched "True to the Game" last night for the first time. I like Short's role. I think he nailed it. People's seemed very natural and "sincere" in her role. Most of the other actors could have watched the movie instead of starring in it ... acting was poor. I think Short and his crew were too gullible for "skilled" drug dealers ... walking into traps etc. At the beginning of the movie, Short rambled too much and at one point I wondered if he was speaking English. The story line was shoddy and did not depict the book as it should. With all that said I was still captivated and intrigued enough to watch it to the end .... or maybe it was just Short that got me. ... lol

The movie was entertaining, bling bling, message throughout typical because you know, to live that kind of life, it's going to end the way it did probably even worse...Critics and people who review throw words & negatives around like it's nothing when this movie production was everything, good acting...R.I.P Nelsan Ellis...Most folk who in my opinion in some cases have no idea how hard it is to screenplay a successful movie, While I would never want to sell my soul for love of money with this for certain predictable tragic end, this movie was good and I give this 6 conservative stars!

Even if you haven't read the book by Author Terri Woods you will enjoy this Urban Drama. Columbus Short and Erica Peeples play their roles exceptionally well as with Andra Fuller and the on screen chemistry was great. While some may agree that Vivica A. Fox's role in the movie is rather irrelevant its always good to see her in a film. This one is packed with female eye candy from Basketball Wives LA's Draya Michelle, to Real Husbands Of Hollywood's Nafessa Williams and even My Wife And Kid's Jennifer Freeman. The cinematography by Matt Wise is absolutely amazing. Popping with color, especially in the club scenes and Short's wardrobe was fantastic. Not a bad film at all but only a familiar urban drama storyline. Well directed by Preston A Whitmore II who's last big screen movie was the holiday comedy This Christmas.