Dope Review

2015 in film

Jun 17

Written By Rendy Jones

Preview

R: Persuasive Language, Drug Use, Violence, and Sexuality/Nudity (All Involving Teens)

Open Road Films

1 hr and 55 Minutes

Cast: Shameik Moore, Kiersey Clemons, Tony Revolori, Blake Anderson, Zoe Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Kap G, Tyga, Chanel Iman, Rick Fox, with Keith Stanfield, and Forest Whitaker

Editor’s Note: This review was originally published during my adolescence. Outdated language might be seen in these old posts. Since then, my thoughts and values have grown. This review is being presented as they were originally written, grammatical errors, shitty sentence structure, and typos galore. Because to do otherwise would be that same as claiming these flaws never existed.

BACKSTORY: Tuesday June 16th I take my friends to see Dope in midtown Manhattan. I sent my other friend Jon to the screening last week and every day since he kept praising saying, "OH MY GOD RENDY THAT WAS SO GOOD YOU WOULD LOVE IT THE CAST THE STORY MY GOD!" I'm just starting at him saying, "I'll believe it when I see it." After seeing it....MY GOD IS THIS FUCKING AMAZING I LOVE THE CAST STORY OH MY GOD!

STORYLINE: Malcom is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles while juggling college applications, academic interviews, and the SAT. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself.

REVIEW: We know Rick Famuyiwa for creating The Wood which was a charming coming of age film about love and friendship. It was a year ago my dad made me watch it, and I told him it was good just doesn't really speak to me. Dope feels like the spirit of Famuyiwa heard me and said "don't worry Rendy, I'll make a coming of age film that speaks to you" and by god he fucking made it. The film starts off so fast as a satirical portrayal of the hood, but then by the 10 minute mark it finds it's balance then it smoothly transitions to different genre films. It becomes a dark comedy, it becomes a violent thriller, it becomes a raunchy comedy, and then it finishes as a coming of age film. Everything in this film is smooth. Even the soundtrack's music producer [Pharrell], knew exactly which song to insert in every scene and the new songs from the cast in the film are catchy. Shoot I wouldn't mind if the Awreeoh even got their own album. Don't believe me, by the time the movie was almost done, I see my friend next to me singing "Can't Bring Me Down" and I joined in. If the film didn't have the great cast it does that can act and sing, this film would've been not as entertaining as it is. The rappers in this film are hilarious and threatening, the main characters are so likable, and the situation they get into gets really intense. The smartly sharp writing of the film delivers some hilarious moments.There are moments where the film gets so surreal that you're sitting in your seat saying "wow this is some true shit." has a very limited setting but goes so far with the area the film takes place in. There is so much different themes of finding yourself, but the film takes it to a very revolutionary modern age way where you have to assimilate to your surroundings to get your goals. Though the film is long, it goes so very fast the only slow moments are for some sentimental character development moments, but believe me if it gets too sappy, the film raunches it up later in the next scene. What makes this film so phenomenal is the last 30 minutes, where it becomes the coming of age film that speaks to a younger generation whether you're living in the ghetto or not. It has a very powerful ending, though when you think it ends it keeps going only to wrap itself up in a bow.

LAST STATEMENT: Raunchy, smart and downright fucking hilarious. Dope is a revolutionary film that showcases a new age of actors and a new powerful message about social mobility. This movie is one of the only films I can say that lived up to it's title.