Movies / Menace II Society (1993)
Runtime: 97 min
Languages: English
Countries: USA
This debut offering from twin brothers Albert and Allen Hughes was one of the most critically-acclaimed urban crime films to appear in the wake of John Singleton's influential Boyz N the Hood. Set in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, the film is narrated by 18-year-old Caine (Tyrin Turner), a drug dealer and car thief who lives with his religious grandparents. After graduating from high school, Caine shows no ambition beyond hanging out with his friends, so his grandparents kick him out. Among his other troubles are his best friend O-Dog (Larenz Tate), a vicious thug hunted by the police, and the friends and family of the girl Caine got pregnant and then turned his back on. Perhaps the lone positive influence in his sphere is Ronnie (Jada Pinkett), a single parent struggling to raise her young son without the boy falling prey to the 'hood mentality. When their friendship becomes a love affair, Ronnie tries desperately to convince Caine to move with her to Atlanta; soon afterward, he is shot and nearly dies. After recovering, he accepts Ronnie's offer, but tragedy strikes as they pack their van in preparation to leave. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
Keywords (229) |
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child swearing vulgarity neo noir blaxploitation pistol whip fade to black tragic ending n word gangsta cocaine More Keywords » |
Directors (2) | Credit |
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Albert Hughes | (as The Hughes Brothers) |
Allen Hughes | (as The Hughes Brothers) |
Writers (3) | Credit |
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Albert Hughes | (story) and |
Allen Hughes | (story) & |
Tyger Williams | (screenplay) |
Composers (1) | Credit |
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Quincy Jones III | (as QD III) |
Editors (1) | Credit |
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Christopher Koefoed | ... |
Cinematographers (1) | Credit |
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Lisa Rinzler | ... |
Actors (48) | Credit |
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Alvin Mears | K-9 Police Officer |
Anthony Johnson | Tony |
Arnold Johnson | Grandpapa |
Bill Duke | Detective |
Brandon Hammond | Five Year Old Caine |
Charles J. Grube | Officer Fassel |
Charles S. Dutton | Mr. Butler |
Christopher M. Brown | Lloyd |
Clifton Collins Jr. | Vato #2 (as Clifton Gonzalez Gonzalez) |
Clifton Powell | Chauncy |
Cynthia Calhoun | Jackee |
Daniel Villarreal | Vato #4 (as Danny Villarreal) |
Dwayne L. Barnes | Basehead |
Erin Wiley Sands | Ilena (as Erin Leshawn Wiley) |
Eugene Lee | Man #1 |
Garen Holman | Junior |
Glenn Plummer | Pernell |
Ian Davids | Insurance Man (as Dave Kirsch) |
Jada Pinkett Smith | Ronnie (as Jada Pinkett) |
James Pickens Jr. | Man #2 (as James Pickins Jr.) |
James Stewart | George Bailey (archive footage) (uncredited) |
Joy Matthews | Nurse #1 |
Jullian Roy Doster | Anthony |
June Kyoto Lu | Grocery Store Woman (as June Kyoko Lu) |
Karolyn Grimes | Zuzu Bailey in 'It's a Wonderful Life' (archive footage) (uncredited) |
Khandi Alexander | Karen Lawson |
Larenz Tate | O-Dog |
Marilyn Coleman | Grandmama |
Martin Davis | Car-Jack Victim |
MC Eiht | A-Wax |
Mike Kelly | Officer Gadd |
Nancy Cheryll Davis | Teacher (as Nancy Cheryl Davis) |
Pooh Man | Doc |
Reginald Ballard | Clyde |
Robert Gatewood | Gang member (uncredited) |
Robert Gonzales | Car Dealer (as Robert R. Gonzales) |
Rolando Molina | Vato #1 |
Ryan Williams | Stacy |
Saafir | Harold Lawson |
Samuel L. Jackson | Tat Lawson |
Samuel Monroe Jr. | Ilena's Cousin |
Stacy Arnell | Deena |
Tony Valentino | Vato #3 |
Too $hort | Lew-Loc |
Toshi Toda | Grocery Store Man |
Tyrin Turner | Caine |
Vonte Sweet | Sharif |
Yolanda 'Yo-Yo' Whittaker | Girl at Party (as Yo Yo) |