New Jack City (Widescreen/Full Screen)

 

 

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New Jack City is a classic gangster movie and is based on a true story. I highly recommend it for anyone's collection, or just for anyone who likes 90's ganster movies. Definitely one of my top picks. (Awesome sound track too!)

"Drugs ain't a black thing, or a white thing. It's a death thing. Death don't give a s*** about color."-Nick Perrti

I first saw this in 1993 and was totally blown away by the directing, cinematography, script and acting and so I was really looking forward to seeing it again after an absence of almost thirteen years. But after seeing this a second time, I could scarcely believe I was watching a film I had remembered very well. In 1994 I would have given this film 5 out of 5 but instead I've given it a 4 due to its frail ending.

New Jack City (1991) is an interesting movie that aims to please. This film marks the first time Mario Van Peebles directed a theatrical released film (that his father helped co-write) and he co-stars in the film as well. The movie follows a small time hood Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) who builds up a vast criminal empire by flooding the streets with crack cocaine. Ice-T and Judd Nelson co-stars as well as two unorthodox cops who want to lock up Nino Brown. Allen Payne (Gee Money) and Mario van Peebles himself (Stone) has also giving some approved performances in here.

The acting is not the strongest part of this film but to me, three men made this film worthy of attention which is Wesley, Ice-T, and Rock. Chris Rock is unforgettable in this movie and he shines in his role as the "crack-head" Pookie. He has so many one-liners that are hysterical funny. The real winner is truly Wesley Snipes, who plays a role we don't usually identify with him, and does so with considerable spirit. He is utterly believable; the scene where he describes first killing someone while high on drugs scared the crap out of me - this is not someone I want as a friend! - Which happens to be a central theme of this film.

There are flaws in it to be sure, primarily of continuity - there are moments for which we are unprepared, and loose ends that don't get tied. The "Cash Money" drug cartel never gets its act together as a criminal organization - which may be the point, but in which case this needs greater exploration on the street level - without soldiers, you have no army, a lesson the Mafia could still teach the younger gangs. But taken all-in-all, "New Jack City" is a tough crime thriller, well-presented, with a great cast at their strongest. Despite it flaws, it holds a lot of strong and impressive moments which makes this worth a watch.

Fool, this film be the bomb, and I don't mean it bombed. Few movies touch me, but in New Jack City, the message was loud and clear, 'Keep it real and don't get caught'. Nino Brown had it all, and I mean he ruled the school. The problem was he got greedy. He makes deals with undercover cops, he wants to take down the mob, and his gang is falling apart. Plus he drops a decent looking ho for a real skanky looking ho.

It funny to see the size of cell phones back then, but the hair styles were pretty ridiculous too. Ice T is no Slash, but he can wear a top hat in the rain just as easily. Judd Nelson has a race problem in this movie, He can't tell the difference between himself, a white cop, and Pookie, a black crackhead. He finally settle the matter buy proclaiming he is 'Poor White Trash Pookie'.

In the end though, the message is clear. "If you've lost everything, you might as well cut loose and run. You never know, the libraian you shot may have a son coming to take you down." Or another moral of the story is "Avoid crazy old men on the stairs when you leave the courtroom."

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good movie
I know some people did not like this movie, but I loved it. The film had me hating some characters and loving others. Ice-T played his role well in this film. Read more

Published on Feb 26 2004 by S. M. Anderson

5.0 out of 5 stars this is a good movie.
I like the pace at which the story in this movie was told. It's not blazing fast so you pick up on all the little things. The acting from all is done very well. Read more

Published on Jan 2 2004 by J. Williams

4.0 out of 5 stars ALOTTA FUN
Now I don't ignore the fact that at times this a serious and dark
movie with the junkie played by Chris Rock(believable and scary)
and other mentions of crack babys. Read more

Published on Dec 27 2003 by kyle sanders

2.0 out of 5 stars This move isnt nearly as great as people make it out to be..
I love hood movies and as far as acting, writing, characters and sheer believeability go, this movie ranks way below films such as Boyz n the Hood, Juice, Clockers, ect. Read more

Published on Dec 16 2003 by T. Monteiro

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Movie
If you liked Scarface, you'll probably like this movie too. It gives u a first person perspective of how the crack game works and the consequences of getting involved. Read more

Published on Nov 27 2003 by sir_tokes_a_lot_420

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie
This film is one of the best "Scarface remakes" I have seen. the action and the drama kept you on the edge of your seat. It sends out a powerful message at the end. Read more

Published on Oct 12 2003 by Paul

5.0 out of 5 stars After all these years...
of being angry at weak gang movies, like Belly, and state property, I realy didn't know what to expect when I saw this last year, when my brother brought it over. Read more

Published on Aug 23 2003 by Samario C. Oliver

5.0 out of 5 stars After all these years...
of being angry at weak gang movies, like Belly, and state property, I realy didn't know what to expect when I saw this last year, when my brother brought it over. Read more

Published on Aug 23 2003 by Samario C. Oliver

4.0 out of 5 stars ''ALWAYS BUSINESS, NEVER PERSONAL''
ICE-T LAUNCHED HIS FILM CAREER WITH THIS MEMORABLE 1991 CULT CLASSIC. THIS MOVIE FOLLOWS THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A DRUG KINGPIN NAMED NINO BROWN [WESLEY SNIPES. Read more

Published on July 18 2003 by MICHAEL TAYLOR

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Wesley Snipes performance.
The story is not very unique - you have seen it before in "scar face" and you can clearly anticipate what's going to happen next. Read more

Published on Jun 9 2003 by Tsila Sofer Elguez

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