CAPSULE: Straight Outta Compton (2015, Dir. F. Gary Gray)

I had a whole "cracker white boy experiences NWA for the first time" line to go in here but I've been sitting on this film for too long to give that approach the effort it deserves.

Besides, I've progressively cooled on Straight Outta Compton since seeing it a month ago.

Truth be told, I began cooling on Straight Outta Compton about an hour into Straight Outta Compton.

With next to no knowledge of the hip-hop crew (bar their hit 'Fuck tha Police' and Ice Cube's film career), the opening salvo of F. Gary Gray's flashy collective biopic was a revelation.

Tense racial rumblings. Violent infighting. Machiavellian dealings. The drama tumbled out with explosive, finger-to-the-powers-that-be relevance, passed on with dignifying fire by the impressive young cast (O'Shea Jackson Jr. and Corey Hawkins especially) and not-so-young support (Paul Giamatti in form as always).

But...

Then...

What da fuq...

Fame and breakups apparently mean one doesn't have to worry about dramatic tension anymore. Or capitalising on cultural relevance. Or thinking about how to conclude a film when the bulk of the subjects are still around and successing strongly...

AIDS. End.

★★★☆

Trailer: