Menace II Society (1993)

Menace II Society: Directed by Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes. With Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, June Kyoto Lu, Toshi Toda. A young street hustler attempts to escape the rigors and temptations of the ghetto in a quest for a better life.

“Extremely brutal, but gripping and compelling story of a volatile, alienated young teenager (Turner) growing up in the violent atmosphere of the L.A. Watts District and—against the advice of family and friends—makes no effort to transcend the harshness and ignorance of his surroundings, instead choosing to head down a dead-end path. Violent, almost unbearable at times, but faultlessly acted by the cast, and filled with powerful, authentic scenes. Tate is an absolute powerhouse as Turneru0026#39;s younger, impulsive, and extremely cold-blooded pal. Obviously not for all tastes, but a monumental achievement regardless, thanks to a superior cast of actors. ***½”