Boyz n the Hood

For a debut film, 'Boyz n the Hood' is a powerful and admirable first effort. John Singleton's writing and direction is tightly focused on a single dominant impression while still exploring other complicated themes of urban life. He takes the "coming-of-age" archetype, seen for many years in the 1980s from only one cultural perspective, and sets it in the streets of Los Angeles. In effect, he reveals not only a particular youth experience often ignored in Hollywood, but also illustrates the violence prevalent in the city to be more problematic and complex than its stereotypical depictions. That there are real people living in those areas who are as genuinely concerned and distressed by the senseless violence as anyone else looking in from the outside.

The single common thread unifying the whole narrative is the frequent sounds of police sirens and helicopters, with intensely blinding searchlights mixed with the normal everyday activities of the neighborhood. It's a subtle motif which suggests violence has sadly become a common occurrence in urban life. And it goes even further by creating an atmosphere of imprisonment — that growing up in this area often leaves little hope of escape. One scene in particular demonstrates this feeling of beauty and humanity interrupted by the harsh reality taking place outside. Tré (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) and his girlfriend, Brandi (Nia Long), sleep together for the first time. But a few minutes later, a police helicopter flies overhead and intrudes upon their quiet, tender moment.

It's understated themes such as this which give Singleton's film such emotional weight, quietly expressing a social concern for how kids become involved with street violence. The plot follows three boys who grow up together in South Central, but they are quite different from each other, especially in one importantly thematic area. Doughboy (Ice Cube) and his brother Ricky (Morris Chestnut) live with their somewhat distant mother (Tyra Ferrell) whereas Tré's intelligent and pragmatic father (Laurence Fishburne) is involved and personally invested in his upbringing. As the story unfolds, the presence of a male figure appears to weigh heavily on the boys' decision-making, where thanks to the moral guidance of his father, Tré overcomes his oppressive sense of inescapability.

In fact, Tré's father becomes the character who best verbalizes the film's other themes and concerns, especially in bringing attention to the issue of gentrification. Admittedly, that specific scene does feel a bit contrived and somewhat maudlin, but it serves its purpose in a drama about the circles of violence. And unfortunately, one of the sad repercussions of that circle is the loss of young kids with promising futures, that percentage of youth without any gang affiliation inevitably caught in another circle of "guilty by association." Fishburne's Furious Styles and Tré are also confronted with another threatening backlash within the community. He is the apathetic police officer who gladly wields the power afforded by his badge and even seems culturally biased against his own people.

'Boyz n the Hood' was the first film of its kind, exploring the complex issues which make up most of the urban violence. John Singleton does an excellent job as a first-time director and writer, carefully and terrifically balancing the many edifying scenes with an atmosphere of realism and speaking from direct experience. The film is also a first for bringing audience attention to the talents of several cast members, like Cuba Gooding, Jr., Nia Long, Regina King, Morris Chestnut and Angela Bassett. Standouts, in particular, are Laurence Fishburne and a surprisingly powerful performance from Ice Cube. Celebrating its 20-year anniversary, the urban drama remains just as impactful as when it originally hit theaters, an emotional coming of age tale set in South Central Los Angeles.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings John Singleton's 'Boyz n the Hood' to Blu-ray on a Region Free, BD50 disc, housed in the blue eco-lite vortex keepcase. Once in the player, the disc goes straight to the main menu with full-motion clips and music.