Amateur from start to finish
The script was awful, the acting was terrible and the sound effects and directing/editing were hideously cheep and nasty.
shareWell, you're correct about it being "amateur". It was the first film for director/writer Ernest Dickerson. And it was the first film role for the most of the cast (except the fat kid who was in Lean on Me). But because of that, there's a raw talent visible especially in Tupac and Omar Epps and it has a visceral energy that in my opinion keeps it moving. Dickerson and Epps have gone on to successful careers.
George Carlin: It's all bullsh-t and it's bad for ya.
Ernest Dickerson was a reknown cameraman up until the time he directed this film. He worked with Spike Lee and a few other 'name' directors before he was ordained to do this film.
'When there's no more room in Hollywood, remakes shall walk the Earth.'
How many cinematographers make the move to Director?? The best in the business like Roger Deakins NEVER Direct. Dickerson made a good film with what he had and Epps+Shakur made a GREAT Pair. Dickerson has since had a great career on TV, those guys collect paychecks for decades
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