MovieChat Forums > New Jersey Drive (1995) Discussion > Why this movie is very underrated...

Why this movie is very underrated...

posted 19 years ago by battling88
14 replies | jump to latest

Honestly, this movie is extremly overlooked.

It's very much a true story about Newark and life in the area.
The soundtrack is in the top-ten for the 1990's, hands down.
It blows Menace II Society out of the water for realism, it doesn't ever go over the top in my opinion.
The acting, done mostly by unknowns is great, in no other movie with such a tough plotline to follow, is there acting like this movie. I'm glad they didn't cast this back in '95 with the old, "who's who" in Hollywood.
The end is disturbing, which Menace does well, in the way that it doesn't pull ANY punches at all.

I never understood how this movie goes under the radar. From start to finsih, it's entertaining, unique and makes you think about life in the hood without pushing BS themes like, "The White man is the devil, what we do we only do because there's no tother choice...etc. etc..."

When you shove politics down someones throat like some culture movies it hurts the movie, this movie avoids it, and unfortunately, never gets the recognition it deserves.

8/10 in my book.

[–] saali456 18 years ago

i agree

[–] carter_darrel 17 years ago

i wouldn't say it blows menace to society out the water bro.
that's a no no there

but however i would say this movie is dope period it's my favorite movie i can never get tired of seeing it, but u can't compare these two movies u just can't because they are their own movies about different aspects in the hood, this just happens to fall more on car theft, menace to society on gangstas and what happens in the hood on a daily basis.

but all in all they are both great movies IMO
i love this movie man it makes u wanna just hop in the convertible drop and ride out to the song "All About My Fetty (Instrumental)" after watching it.

[–] lilant 17 years ago

I agree with carter.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Cafetero1075 15 years ago

Menace to Society was better. Those punks got everything they deserved. Must suck being a cop in that city.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] bbgunpop 14 years ago

Pretty good movie, but underwhelming ending, and nothing is really achieved by the main character (ok he goes to school), which maybe is the point. Another thing is the whole police brutality, corruption stuff. The court case is just suddenly over and that bad cop gets sent down or something, why did the court end up believing the main character anyway?

And am I the only one that kinda thought the kids deserved abit of rough treatment by the cops? There stealin peoples car, putting innocent lives in jeopardy when they steal at gun point or when there drivin. Now im not sayin they deserved to got shots pumped into the car all the time, although in some situations I can see it as necessary. So abit of a kicking or a slap is ok IMO, cops in the carribean and africa usually give the guys they arrest a good whooping and its just accepted. Black parents (as seen in this movie) are renowned for being heavy handed when dealing with their kids too.

Although yeah, I bet those middle class white kids wouldnt be as likely to get a slap from the cops, and that unequal treatment is wrong.

[–] ItsEddieHaskellBeyotch 12 years ago

"Pretty good movie, but underwhelming ending, and nothing is really achieved by the main character"

Nailed it, right there. Plus none of the characters were really that interesting as they were similar to alot of other characters from previous 'hood' movies. The lead was rather dull and underwhelming.

That said, I liked "Juice" way better than this. It covers similar territory but was much better at getting to the point.

"Lemme at 'em! I'll splat 'em!"

[–] jackiefoxybrown 12 years ago

What! I think the fact that the main character was under whelming made him all the more complexed. I like that the actor approached the role in a subtle way. There was no over doing it which made it seem more "real" . I found myself rooting for the main character all the way thru, and thru out the movie the characters continualy makes the same bad choices,the only way these guys were ever going to stop was if they got arrested or dead. I think that's what we are seing thru out the movie,it becomes quite redundant,its as if they are looking to get caught or end up in a coffin.

[–] algonquinmd 13 years ago

In my opinion in came out a little late in the "Hood Movie" era and plain wasn't as violent and bloody (police homicides aside) as it's predecessors. "Hood Movies" were always supposed to be set in South Central. It was a unique take on Newark (East Coast) car theft culture that a lot of people were totally unaware of. The soundtrack also goes down in history as one of the best ever released in the hip-hop world.

P.S.- The ending was based on a true story

http://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/10/nyregion/man-and-pregnant-girl-are-killed-in-police-chase.html

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Merle_Dixon 13 years ago

It's underrated, because it's not widely known by the public... thus only 1200 votes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP1-oquwoL8