• Menace II Society (1993)

    After growing up in the gang lifestyle of the Los Angeles projects, 18-year-old Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner) wants a way out. Everyone around him, including his unpredictable friend O-Dog (Larenz Tate), is trapped in their lives of crime and violence. With the help of his caring teacher (Charles Dutton) and supportive girlfriend (Jada Pinkett), Caine plans to leave the city for good. But in a series of tragic events, Caine realizes that escape will not be easy.

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Menace II Society
76
metacriticBased on 19 Critics
86
Based on 36 Users

Release Date: May 26th, 1993

DVD Release Date: October 22nd, 1997

R |1 hr 37 min

Plot Summary

After growing up in the gang lifestyle of the Los Angeles projects, 18-year-old Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner) wants a way out. Everyone around him, including his unpredictable friend O-Dog (Larenz Tate), is trapped in their lives of crime and violence. With the help of his caring teacher (Charles Dutton) and supportive girlfriend (Jada Pinkett), Caine plans to leave the city for good. But in a series of tragic events, Caine realizes that escape will not be easy.

Cast: Tyrin Turner, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vonte Sweet, Larenz Tate, MC Eight, Ryan Williams, Too $hort, Samuel L. Jackson

Director: Allen Hughes , Albert Hughes

Genres: Drama

Production Co: New Line Cinema

Distributors: New Line Cinema, 20th Century Fox of Germany

Keywords: Fall , Los Angeles , Girlfriend , Escape , 1990s , Gritty

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 100
    Roger EbertChicago Sun-Times

    As well-directed a film as you'll see from America this year, an unsentimental and yet completely involving story of a young man who cannot see a way around his fate. show more

  • 88
    Chicago Tribune

    A film of great integrity, assurance and political passion, if not driving plot. [26 May 1993, Tempo, p.3]

  • 100
    Peter TraversRolling Stone

    Nothing the Hughes brothers have done in their videos for Tone Loc, Tupac Shakur and others prepares you for the controlled intensity and maturity they bring to their stunning feature debut. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com