There's no such thing as an easy out, or an honest answer, for the children of LA's low-income housing projects. Particularly so in the early 90s, while the embers of the city's race riots still simmered and gang violence reached new levels with every passing day. _Menace_ doesn't flinch from any of that, depicting a tight-knit crew of conflicted teenagers that's neither heroic nor villainous. These are just kids, albeit kids with access to guns and ski masks, trying to sort out their place in society before the city rips them to pieces. They make bad decisions, as teens are wont to do, but also get caught in the crossfire of forces well beyond their control. Their daily lives are a whirling vortex of drugs, hormones, social influence and class warfare. No wonder they're so confused and cavalier, quick to resort to spontaneous violence. They're frustrated and overlooked, with a lack of guidance and compassion in their lives. Everybody's out to take what's theirs, so they either play the same game or go home empty handed. We can show compassion over the circumstances that produced them without celebrating the casualties of their noisy, adolescent snarls. That message rings loud and true throughout the film's all-too-brief ninety-odd minutes. It's a boldly honest moment in time, a document of the sources behind such complicated injustice. Some of the acting performances might be wooden and recited, the independent-level production values occasionally transparent, but the raw emotion and brutal honesty is fair compensation. This one’s gonna make you think.

I watched this movie a while ago and had no idea what to expect. It tells the story about some kids growing up in difficult circumstances, which inevitably lead them down the 'wrong' path. At least for me everything seemed really authentic. Without saying too much, this was also the first movie for me with a shocking ending. Maybe my standards were lower at that time, but the ending and the whole narrative style really got to me, which made this movie really stick in my mind. I would recommend watching this for anyone who isn't on the search for some entertaining blockbuster.

Amazing, even all these years later. I only wish I could give it more stars.

'Menace II Society' delivers an eventful 90 minutes! It's a film I certainly like, it is a predictable (beginning aside) ride but one that does manage to hit a fair bit. The characters are admittedly not the most likeable, though their predicament is still easy to connect to. Tyrin Turner makes for a solid lead, with Larenz Tate and Jada Pinkett (Smith) the pick of the rest; the latter, to be honest, brings the best acting of the main bunch. Aside from Pinkett, I did find the acting to be imperfect - not bad, whatsoever, but those away from Jada do get a bit cringey in parts. Good to see Samuel L. Jackson involved, albeit minimally. The ending, whilst good and totally serviceable, did irritate me slightly. I won't spoil what happens, but the 'last act' of Caine doesn't make total sense; you can tell they done it like that because it sounded dramatic on paper. Is it just me or did he laughably put the young fella in more danger? It took me out of the scene, I can't lie. Overall, this 1993 release is very good. I just evidently had a couple of (relatively minor, but noteworthy) issues with it, that's all.

This really was a one of a kind, first of its kind, film and thus, the eight out of 10 rating. Much of the acting was barely passable, especially by Tyrin Turner, although Larenz Tate really stood out in his role and made this film what it was. Thankfully, there were qualified actors around Mr. Turner, so they held up the scenes well, for the most part.