Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner) and best friend O-Dog (Larenz Tate) go into a grocery store. O-Dog takes offense from the Korean storekeeper's comment and shoots him and his wife. Caine's father (Samuel L. Jackson) was a drug dealer and cold-hearted killer. He grew up with his grandparents. Caine and his cousin Harold are carjacked. Harold is murdered. O-Dog and Caine go to kill the carjackers. O-Dog is gleeful about his murderous spree while Caine is much more hesitant. Caine is eventually arrested for the grocery store killings and his life spirals downwards.

The Hughes brothers are able to bring a vision of urban gangsterism that is cold-hearted and bleak. Larenz Tate is amazing as the unflinching joyful killer. His glee and pride of killing the Korean couple is the best in the movie. Tyrin Turner is not as compelling as an actor. The movie essentially follows the less interesting character. Caine is portrayed more as a regular guy struggling against his bad upbringing and his surroundings. It would be better to have O-Dog beside him voicing the evil side for the entire movie.

A young street hustler attempts to escape the rigors and temptations of the ghetto in a quest for a better life.

While widely praised, others have said this film suffers because it is "cliche". And, you know, I would not disagree with that. Despite not having seen it before, I felt as if I knew every twist and turn by heart. But I don't see this as a negative necessarily, because it makes it sort of the essential Los Angeles gang film -- if you only ever see one, this is probably it.

There is a strange thing about the film, though, and that is we are put in the position to see some of the kids as the protagonists and others as antagonists. But there are few good guys here. Robbery and murder are choices, as is getting your girlfriend pregnant. Why are we supposed to feel this can be so easily forgiven?

Ok let me be honest. When I saw this in the theatre I wasn't impressed. But I couldn't stop going back to see it. And then it dawned on me that this movie is indeed a great movie.

Compared to all of the other "hood" movies this is the best. It contains a message that indeed hits home. Your actions will come back to haunt you. Tyrin Turner and Larenze Tate played great and believable roles.

Of course everyone won't get this movie. But for those who do watch it I hope you get the message.