Straight Outta Compton

Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 14, 2015

7.7	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 479 Ratings

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User Reviews

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BigPoppaFitzSep 1, 2015

I think a lot of people hopped on the hype train for this one. The plot at times was non-existant, and at other times was just irrelevant. Average acting, accompanied by average screen writing was saved only by classic songs that everyone whoI think a lot of people hopped on the hype train for this one. The plot at times was non-existant, and at other times was just irrelevant. Average acting, accompanied by average screen writing was saved only by classic songs that everyone who grew up in the 80's and 90's loved. I wouldn't recommend this movie. It was slow, boring, and even the most dramatic of situations in the film failed to draw you in. The character development as so poor, you couldn't give two s***s about who lives, dives, succeeds or fails. This, from someone who grew up listening to and loving NWA.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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royphishoohOct 7, 2015

Pretty good acting but evidently the story is wildly inaccurate. Easy E and Heller weren't to blame for the band falling apart - it was Dre and Ice Cube.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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filistarSep 6, 2015

for a film that is trying to be complex, it is utterly one-dimensional. Music is great, acting can slide but everything else is just exploiting the ''popular rage''

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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mannycucamongaSep 23, 2015

A few dynamic characters make this movie interesting. It's definitely worth a watch, particularly if you are at all interested in the history of race relations in the United States. Unfortunately, like many historically based movies, itA few dynamic characters make this movie interesting. It's definitely worth a watch, particularly if you are at all interested in the history of race relations in the United States. Unfortunately, like many historically based movies, it glosses over issues that would make the protagonists more interesting (and perhaps less likable) and resorts to formula and cliche. It lacks the grit required to make this movie more realistic, challenging and significant.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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DRauchDoes2015Aug 14, 2015

Though a jumbled, and certainly not unprecedented biopic, Straight Outta Compton is a timely, potent, and most importantly, galvanizing watch that should prove engaging for hip-hop heads and the unconverted alike. It's melodramatic, overlong,Though a jumbled, and certainly not unprecedented biopic, Straight Outta Compton is a timely, potent, and most importantly, galvanizing watch that should prove engaging for hip-hop heads and the unconverted alike. It's melodramatic, overlong, definitely inaccurate, detrimentally indulgent, and edited so swiftly it leaves a feeling of wanton (the original cut was over 200 minutes long). But man, the performances, the music, the concert recreations, the legitimately harrowing storyline and it's intrinsically essential and historic quality is what makes Straight Outta Compton one of the better biopics in recent memory. It's certainly one of the most important films of the year.… Expand

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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AxeTAug 20, 2015

It's really annoying and just poor to portray police constantly shouting F word profanities in movies. They generally do not in the line of duty, and if they did it would be highly unprofessional. Sure, certain ones must sometimes andIt's really annoying and just poor to portray police constantly shouting F word profanities in movies. They generally do not in the line of duty, and if they did it would be highly unprofessional. Sure, certain ones must sometimes and especially in the ghettos of this movie but at a certain point when every single line from officers is F this, F that such as in the first arrest scene by the Compton police as depicted in this film, one loses the suspension of disbelief. And this is a true story! The gangsta rappers talk that way, but don't believe the hype when they twist it onto the police. In the scene with the Torrance police the same thing, every single line out of the cops' mouths has F whatever. Then ironically in the LAPD chopper arrest scene later there's no profanity from the police. So what are the filmmakers saying, LAPD don't swear during intense arrests but the other local agencies do? Movies are ALL editorial and everything can either be made very accurate or very carefully manipulated to make a point. Or they can just be half ass and sloppy about both the truth and the point they are trying to make, which is what this movie is much of the time.
A fairly large canvas that rips off scenes straight outta "The Doors" (which was maybe the first L.A. supergroup contrary to the film's bit from the media claiming NWA as that, and they were going 20 years later!) but without Stone's masterful power. For that matter this movie is the same rags to riches musical story as "Jersey Boys" was from last year but also without nearly the emotion and finesse that film had from master director Eastwood. This film is a fairly competent noble attempt but proves ultimately a soulless run through with an overly long running time. If it had half the energy the end credits have it might have been above the fray.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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YorkManFeb 10, 2016

Decent enough film.... Well directed, well acted, well scored.... But..........

There are major problems with the narrative. As many people have pointed out, anyone with any knowledge of the history of NWA will spot inaccuracies all over theDecent enough film.... Well directed, well acted, well scored.... But..........

There are major problems with the narrative. As many people have pointed out, anyone with any knowledge of the history of NWA will spot inaccuracies all over the place.
The main reason(s) for this is that the film's producers include NWA founders Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. With them involved in the film on all levels, they go to great lengths to promote their own legends.
No mention of anything controversial either man did, and only passing references made to contemporary newspaper/magazine articles they refused to contradict.
There's also the small matter of almost deleting the other members of NWA (apart from Eazy-E) from the story altogether, something which was dismissed with the notion of how important they were beyond the initial formation of the group, which is a ludicrous notion.
Also, the film is far, far, far too long. The first 60 minutes is electrifying, but the remaining almost hour and a half drags so much.

Overall, it's a film you would probably watch once, just for the experience. However, don't go into it thinking you'll get a deep expose of the formation of the group, the background of its members, and an accurate portrayal of what happened after the band made it big.
It take massive liberties with what is (and isn't) included, and (as mentioned) plays up the 'Legends' surrounding Dre, Cube and E.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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AquaMorphSep 27, 2016

This film had a lot of great scenes but they were far in between. I feel like a 45 minute shorter film with a bit more focus would have been a better package. It has this weird balance of condemning the life style and glorifying it. TheThis film had a lot of great scenes but they were far in between. I feel like a 45 minute shorter film with a bit more focus would have been a better package. It has this weird balance of condemning the life style and glorifying it. The credit scenes were the kind of lazy biopic have relied on all too often. Characters seemed all over the place with a lot of worthless characters that just added to the confusion of the story.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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nsroehlAug 7, 2016

The cast and their acting was very well done. I just didn't find their story all that interesting. If you grew up during the rise of NWA and want to know their back story, if you enjoy rap, or you are curious about the rise of music legendsThe cast and their acting was very well done. I just didn't find their story all that interesting. If you grew up during the rise of NWA and want to know their back story, if you enjoy rap, or you are curious about the rise of music legends like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Tu Pac, and Snoop Dogg you may enjoy this movie. Only the last part of the three criteria I listed before really applies to me and that still wasn't enough to keep me interested. This movie is too long and should have been at least 45 min. shorter. It portrays their struggles with the police very clearly and how they became very successful, but it shows little faults with in their own lives beyond Easy E and Suge Knight. I would have more respect for this film it would not have portrayed everyone as saints in this movie just wanting to make music. We know Dr Dre has a past of beating women but shockingly nothing was made of this. Just google it to see for yourself. I think the movie would have been much more compelling if it would have shown both good and bad sides to these people. No one is a saint, but showing these icons strengths and weaknesses could have made this movie truly great. Instead you'll just roll your eyes and keep checking your watch till it is over.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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amheretojudgeFeb 10, 2018

the bigger the story..

Straight Outta Campton Running for 166 minutes, Straight Outta Campton offers enough material especially after the first act and the perfect depiction with historical accuracy and genuine portrayals of real timethe bigger the story..

Straight Outta Campton

Running for 166 minutes, Straight Outta Campton offers enough material especially after the first act and the perfect depiction with historical accuracy and genuine portrayals of real time characters. Its all the razzle dazzle as expected and also genuine emotions running within it to connect with a familiar story and still keeping it interesting. F. Gary Gary is excellent as a director he gives enough space and executes each and every frame perfectly with the help of amazing screenplay that allows enough range and space for the actors to flaunt their talents. But in the end, what itches is the overlong stretched script especially its first act which could have easily been edited and helped to boost up the script a bit.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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