Straight Outta Compton

Let's get one thing straight. Straight Outta Compton does what any good music biopic should do: present a compelling portrait of its subject. Its subject is the pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A. Even if you're not a fan of their lyrics, the film keeps you invested in their stories all the way through.

In 1986, aspiring rappers Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Cube's real-life son), DJ Yella (Neal Brown, Jr) and MC Ren (Aldis Hodge) come together to make music that "tell it like it is." Their group, N.W.A, attracts the attention of producer Jerry Heller (Paul Giamatti), who becomes their manager. Fame and fortune soon follow ... and also scorn from law enforcement who don't take kindly to their endorsement of uncivil disobedience. It all falls apart when the group members suspect Jerry isn't being fair to them.

Director F. Gary Gray (Friday, starring Ice Cube) keeps it moving for 147 minutes. It helps that editor Billy Fox knows how to stir the audience's emotions. One can't help but feel outraged at the group's unfair treatment from the police. Or feel fear when a gang member threatens one of their friends. It's so involving that any music biopic cliches aren't that noticeable. I was interested in knowing where their stories went.

It also helps that there's a great cast of actors. The main five make for a likable bunch. They're products of their environment, so it's natural that they write what they know. They maintain their audience sympathy even as they get in trouble with the law. Paul Giamatti portrays Heller as a sympathetic, yet-unfair manager, as opposed to the unsympathetic, un-fair manager he played in Love & Mercy. R. Marcus Wright makes a great impact as producer Suge Knight, who's most definitely not portrayed sympathetically.

The intense lyrics of Straight Outta Compton didn't bother me in the least. I just went with the flow. It makes many valuable points about society and the lives of musical artists. One can't help but agree with at least one of its points. Don't let your fears or tastes turn you away; this is a valuable film.