Boyz N the Hood, Menace to Society or Juice?

Question

Which one of this Hip-Hop inspired, urban movies do you think made the BEST impact, in terms of getting it's message accross to young males living in the inner cities? Which one do you like best and why?

p.s. I realize this is primarily a music section, but I think this is relevant since Hip Hip, as a whole, is a culture.

I actually saw each of these movies in theaters when they came out in 91", 92" and 93". This is tough and I've always asked my self this question, but could never really decide! That's actually why I enlisted everyone's help. I think that ALL 3 movies were just excellent! And each movie got it's message accross, but in different ways/scenerios outlined in each plot. But if I had to choose one that was most effective, it would be Boyz N the hood. John Singleton did a splendid job at capuring a real life protrayal of living in the hood, dealing with drugs, sex, love, crime, gangs, racism, single parenthood, coming of age etc.. his story captured it ALL as AJ08 stated. The pain and grief we all felt when Ricky was killed was deep! If that didn't make you think twice, than nothing will. I felt it was most compelling and made the biggest impact of the 3.

Menace was POWERFUL! Again, it was all street and gave you a realistic glimpse of what it's like growing up in the hood. Kaine got way in over his head and it was sort of expected that he would get killed (and I don't mean to take that lightly). Lolipop below said it was "karma." Kaine had grandparents who helped raise him, but he didn't grow up with that strong male role model (or female role model for that matter). Grandparents can only take on so much.. Surprisingly, he was a somewhat likable character, who provided for Ronnie and her son and wanted to do right, but simply ran out of time. Some of his last words: "I've done too much to turn back and too much to go on.... I guess in the end, it all catches up with you....And now it's too late." Very deep messege there. Great movie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vio9T6F54E

JUICE- Another fantastic movie. Unlike Boyz N the hood and Menace, the plot was completely different and more about survival and whose "got the juice." Tupac's performance was spectacular. It got a message accross, but I think people were more "entertained" by Pac's performance,Queen Latifah's cameo and Rakim's Know the Ledge, than anything. That's a great soundtrack by the way (see what I mean?) hahaha. Sad, unfortunate set of circumstances in the plot, great performances, good protrayal of hood life, but not as deep in it's message, as the other two. Like AJ08 said, choose better friends. Still a Hip Hop Classic!!

QUALITY- I respect your opinion but I personally don't think these movies "glamourize" hood life. AND if by chance it does, it quickly comes to a halt when you watch the end-result. If anyone gets the msg that this kind of life is desirable, they aren't taking in the msg or have it seriously backwards. This would be why these movies are rated R and parental guidence strongly suggested. Just my opinion.

IMABOS: Thanks for your input. I agree with a lot of what you're saying.

Answer 1

Boyz N The Hood made the best impact in terms of getting its message across to the young males living in the inner cities because it focused on many different aspects of living in the inner city from the crime, to the lifestyle, to sex, especially emphasizing how many blacks die from murder in the south central area, that movie also showed how having some kind of an older male role model in your life can help lead you in the right direction, thats what alot of kids lack livin in the inner city; a strong male role model......Although my favorite of the 3 is Juice, that movie didnt really show all the aspects of livin in the city, the only thing i could get out of that is; make good decisions and pick your friends wisely, but that was the most entertaining of the 3 (in my opinion), but as far as getting a message across, Boyz N the Hood was the best.

Answer 2

Even though Boyz n the hood got the most recognition I disagree that it made the best impact. Here's why: If you think about it the character that died (Doughboy's younger brother) didn't do anything wrong. He was an innoncent victim that some punks targeted, so if anything I think young boys will get the msg that they better start packin a gat or else! So it's a toss between Menace and Juice. I would say Menace to Society if I really had to pick. That was a direct hit on Kaine when he was targeted and in a way it was "karma" because of what they did at the beginning killing that Korean couple. So if anything that movie speaks to young males and shows them straight up what could happen if they don't stop living that life. It was deep toward the end. Juice was a VERY good movie and superb acting by Tupac. That was more of a power trip on Pac's character. I don't think that plot was a common everyday thing happening in the hood, but it was still a very compelling movie and showed young males who they should choose to hang out with etc.. maybe get a job or something so they wouldn't have to result to such drastic measures etc... Overall, ALL 3 movies were excellent! I miss those early 90's urban movies.

Answer 3

I like Boyz N Da Hood the best. It seemed like there was at least some hope in that movie, while Menace II Society was really depressing.

Answer 4

Menace II Society. What a powerful film and a very grim but realistic ending. Charles S. Dutton's riveting words of "the hunt is on, and you're the prey" when speaking about the young black male's role in the ghetto are some words I've heard in a film that I will never forget.

Boyz N the Hood is 2nd. The Singleton Brothers are unbelievable. The acting is great led by Laurence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding Jr. I thought it was a bit too much "blame the white man" for our problems but it still had positive influence of the importance of being responsible for your own actions. Great film and very good soundtrack.

Juice is the worst movie of the 3 but it has by far the best soundtrack. Uptown Anthem, Know the Ledge, Nuff Respect, Is it Good to You and Don't be Afraid - wow! Tupac's character Bishop is evil and he plays it perfectly. I think its his best filmwork. Omar Epps is cool as a "Q"-cumber and how can you not love the fat kid - Jermaine Hopkins (also in Lean on Me).

Answer 5

first let me say two things. 1. this is a great question because its not about how good the movie was as a movie but how well it delivered its message. 2. the people who said dont be a menace, are idiots and should have read the question before typing out their answers, we are all now dumber for having read them. now three inner city coming of age movies, all with very difficult messages to portray, the quinticential line from menace, id come too far to turn back and done to much to keep going, fits all three of these movies, in juice with pacs character driven insane by trying to cope with the daily struggle to survive, menace whos leading character was raised in the drug/gang lifestyle with an opportunity to start over but not enough time, and of course boyz proving the importance of a male role model in the life of ANY YOUNG MAN not just necessarily the black community, which one proved its point best? Boyz 'n the Hood is my pick for its life altering events and strong portrayal of its message, but running very close second is Menace to Society for its almost shakesperian drama, and utter realism, the gritty style and playful banter almost plays out like a documentary as opposed to a movie with actors, VERY well acted and VERY well directed by the hughs bros. menace is and always will be a classic coming of age drama. 2pac shakurs performance in juice proved that pac really is a legend, great actor, highly intelligent and of course one of the greatest, if not the greatest Lyracist, of all time. juice is an accurate representation of life in the streets and what struggling to survive on a DAILY basis can do to a young persons mind. 3 excellent movies, 3 good messages, 1 great question.

Answer 6

Boyz N the Hood hands down

Answer 7

Close, but Boys N the Hood over Juice and Menace.

Answer 8

I'm gonna have to go with Menace to Society. Like what? that was real right there. Someone said that Boyz N the Hood showed more aspects and that is true but there's something about Menace that made me really stop and think- this is real mayne! The ending was deep how he was dying and watching his life flash before his eyes. that really got to me and I'm a dude but i was gettin all teary eyed and sh**. All movies were good though.

Answer 9

I liked Boyz N Da Hood, But you should check out Paid In Full its better then all of these movies

Answer 10

as far as hip hop n its culture goes the best of these is JUICE hands down. takes place in NY has djing in it and street life. whereas boyz n tha hood n menace to society is jus straight hood movies....more like an original friday kinda thang