Poetic Justice (1993)

Beautiful

This movie is highly under-rated. It is a "love conquers all" story that is beautifully written. The film is a surprise which covers the break-up of a seemingly cute-and-cuddly couple Iesha and Chicago and the coming together of the mis-matched Lucky (2pac) and Justice (Janet Jackson). While many love stories are unrealistic, this story speaks the truth and includes many heart-breaks,deaths, arguments, and hurdles along the path to happiness. Additionally, this film speaks to the true talent of the late Tupac Shakur. Some of the background story lines (such as the focus on the salon owner, Jesse) are a bit lame, distracting, and a waste of time, but if you forget them and focus just on the 4 main characters you'll see how powerful this movie is. March 29, 2008

Pathetic Junkstice!

This movie was one of the worst wastes of film and time that I have ever seen.

Back in 1993, it may have seen like a good idea to put then-pop princess Janet Jackson with rapper on the rise 2pac Shakur on a story loosely centered around South Central LA (one scene shows the devastation of the then-recent riots). Sadly, this film is a great mess of nothing, showing the fluke of "Boyz in the Hood's" success.

First of all, Miss Jackson is no actress and much of the film doesn't even make sense. It is never clear why she is so sad and angry. Characters and situations come and go without rhyme or reason, no one in the film (unless you are among the cult of Tupac worshippers) is remotely sympathetic. Janet spouts Maya Angelou's (who appears in a cameo) poetry (trust me, no "Still I Rise" here-this sounds like stuff taken out of her trash can) and goes to Oakland from LA with a motley crew of ignorant, screaming, cursing characters. Incidentally, the Last Poets (the true fathers of rap) make a cameo, but we don't get to hear them!

When I saw this at a theater in Columbia, SC upon its release, the teen and twentysomething audience booed, cursed, and loudly demanded their money back at the end. Wise kids. If you have the stomach to do so, you'll see why.

"Poetic Justice?" Pathetic Junkstice is more like it.



February 7, 2008

Poetry Malfunction

POETIC JUSTICE has two great performances by Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur, who have chemistry enough to burn down the screen, but it suffers from ho-hum direction by auteur John Singleton, and most of all, its ridiculous poetry by former Poet Laureate Maya Angelou just makes you cringe. Even Janet Jackson sounds embarrassed by it, and she's supposed to be the one writing it. In one scene she lounges discontented in a big bed covered with colorful pillows and batik cloths, from above the camera pans down every angle of her curvaceous--yet discontent--body, while the soundtrack has her reciting the words of one of terrible poems, "I'm a woman---phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, That's Me." Janet can't even bring herself to say them and, in her career as a pop star, she's had to deliver some pretty banal lyrics. Not to mention the little inter-songs she puts on her LPs, of her just giggling or making quasiorgasmic sex sounds a la THE VELVET ROPE. But "Phenomenal Woman That's Me" defeats even Janet Jackson. Her famous "wardrobe malfunction" at Superbowl XXXVIII eclipsed for a minute or two her most humiliating moment, but as soon as the fuss died down about that, she still had "Phenomenal Woman" to live down. I have one question for you Maya Angelou. Why, why, why did you do this to young, lovely, tyro actress Janet Jackson? Those poems you wrote for Justice (the name of Janet Jackson's character) to recite belong in infamy. February 5, 2008

Not Singleton's Finest Moment, But Still Worth Watching

It's clear what Singleton attempted to do with this one, and I'd say it was a noble effort. Of course the script could've been tighter and the climax stronger and more rewarding, thus resulting in a more worthwhile film. However, in the film's defense, the charismatic Tupac shines while convincingly helming the sole well-conceived role. He's the best reason -- perhaps the only reason -- viewers should join in on the film's road trip to Oakland. He's subtle but confident, forceful but not heavy-handed, complex but genuine -- all the things that have also made him a legendary (and sorely missed) rapper. On the other hand, regarding Ms. Jackson... Well, I'll attempt to simply and kindly take the high road and say she probably shouldn't attempt to act again (unless she takes some drama classes). Janet simply doesn't get it. She doesn't understand the craft. She "acts" throughout the entire movie, something a skilled and experienced performer would never be caught doing. Perhaps Singleton was just too smitten with her to inform her that performing requires more than just emoting and script recitation. I understand that fans of Janet's music will invariably take issue with my comments, but if they'd simply separate her on-screen skills from her (heavily studio-enhanced) musical skills, I believe they'd have to agree with me. And it doesn't help that Janet's character (Justice) isn't a well-written, fully-developed and focused role; that's Singleton's fault -- not Janet's. Also, in the movie, fans of Maya Angelou will enjoy her cameo and the verses she wrote for Janet's character, a poet. And the fan(s) of Regina King will appreciate the challenging, range-revealing character stretch she takes on: she portrays a sassy, shallow, one-dimensional young lady with an attitude (that's something we've never seen her play before). Overall, Poetic Justice isn't one of Sigleton's finest moments, but again, revisiting Tupac's performance makes it entertaining and somewhat worthwhile. July 11, 2007

Realler than most

This is a great movie. Shows real life, the difficulties trying to communicate to the opposite sex. and growing up with the struggles of everyday life.

Someone wrote terrible movie and Lucky acts like a dog. . .but if you watch the whole thing and understand it. Here is a guy stuck with a girl he is into, already uneasy from earlier. and the only way to get her attention is to call her names. The frustration should of been apparent.
I would say this is one of Tupac's best works on film. His skill only got better as he matured. But since he was so young. He did a good job. And unlike what was said before, he was acting. He wasnt playing himself. Only someone who listen to the media and news reports to make that judgment, would say that. Then to turn around and praise Janet, for her acting cause of her life experiences? that just dont make sense. She did a good job. I think the Poem was too mature for her character. Maybe it would of been better served if she was older and reminiscing on the trip. But it was a little too much for her.

THe rest of the cast is good. Joe Torry, Regina King and Tone Loc are all great. Showing the everday life, and the struggles trying to survive day to day, and connect with someone.

Better than a Hood Movie, its a great Coming of age/ love story. Its more realistic than most. May 3, 2007

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