Story Summary:
In March 2009, it was announced that the film was in development at New Line Cinema, with S. Leigh Savidge and Alan Wenkus writing, and Tomica Woods-Wright, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre set to produce the film. In May 2010, it was announced Andrea Berloff would write a draft of the screenplay. In September 2011, John Singleton told The Playlist that he was in talks to direct the film, saying: "I can’t talk about it too prematurely about the stuff I'm doing because nothing’s come to fruition yet, but Cube and I are talking about doing the N.W.A. story. The script is really, really good, and so we're just figuring it out. New Line really wants to make it."Also in September 2011, F. Gary Gray,Craig Brewer, and Peter Berg were reportedly in talks to direct the film. In April 2012, F. Gary Gray was selected as director. Gray had worked with Ice Cube in the filmFriday and Dr. Dre in the film Set It Off. He has also directed some of their music videos. By 2013, the film was picked up by Universal Studios, who, in December 2013, hired Jonathan Herman to write a new draft of the script and brought in Will Packer to executive produce, alongside Adam Merims, David Engel, Bill Straus, Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni.
Casting:
Casting calls began in the middle of 2010. There had been rumors of Lil Eazy E playing his late father Eazy-E, and Ice Cube's son and fellow rapper O'Shea Jackson Jr. playing his father as well. Ice Cube said of the movie, "We're taking it to the nooks and crannies, I think deeper than any other article or documentary on the group," he said. "These are the intimate conversations that helped forge N.W.A. To me, I think it's interesting to anybody who loves that era and I don't know any other movie where you can mix Gangster Rap, the F.B.I., L.A. Riots, HIV, and fucking feuding with each other. This movie has everything from Daryl Gates and the battering ram."
On February 21, 2014, director Gray announced a March 9, 2014 open casting call for the film in Gardena, California, via his Twitter account. There were also open casting calls in Atlanta and Chicago. Rapper YG auditioned to play MC Ren in the film. The project was scheduled to start filming in April 2014 but was pushed backed due to casting delays.
On June 18, 2014, Universal officially announced that the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton would be released theatrically on August 14, 2015. It was also confirmed that Ice Cube's son, O'Shea Jackson Jr., would play a younger version of his father in the film. O'Shea Jr. joined Jason Mitchell and Corey Hawkins, who portrayed group members Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, respectively.In early July 2014, casting directors for the film issued a casting call for extras and vintage cars in the Los Angeles area. The casting call release stated that filming would begin in August 2014.In July 2014, it was confirmed Aldis Hodge would portray MC Ren and Neil Brown, Jr. would play DJ Yella. On August 15, 2014, Paul Giamatti joined the cast to play N.W.A's manager Jerry Heller. On August 26, 2014, Keith Stanfield joined the cast to play Snoop Dogg.
On June 16, 2015, Ice Cube revealed that a "Tupac scene" had been shot for the film.Entertainment Weekly reported that the role of Tupac Shakur in the film would be played by newcomer Marcc Rose, who was once rumored to be cast by John Singleton in his unmade Tupac biopic.
On August 12, 2014, TMZ reported that just seven days into filming in Compton, a drive-by shooting took place directly in front of the cast and crew members while they were on the set. A group of men standing outside the Compton Courthouse flashed gang signs at a passing car and passengers in the car opened fire on the group. No one affiliated with the film was injured or hurt, but one civilian near the set was shot. Despite the incident, it was announced that filming would continue to take place as planned in the city.
On January 29, 2015, Suge Knight was involved in a hit-and-run incident that left one man dead and another hospitalized. Witnesses claim that Knight followed the men after an argument on the Straight Outta Compton film set to a burger stand parking lot in Compton, and that the collisions looked intentional. Security footage video was released online in early March showing Knight running over both men but which Knight's attorney said helps his client's self-defense claim. Killed was Terry Carter, co-founder (along with Ice Cube) of Heavyweight Records and a friend of Knight. The second victim, filmmaker Cle Sloan, suffered a mangled foot and head injuries.
Marketing:
In December 2014, during a show in Sydney, Australia, Ice Cube gave concertgoers a sneak peek at a trailer for Straight Outta Compton.When an executive producer of the film, Will Packer, was asked if Cube told him he was going to show the trailer or did he "just put it out there?", Packer responded, "Cube does what he does." He added, "Cube is the man. We back him. And I love the fact that it's out there and it's getting the response that it's getting, that's what I'll say."
On February 8, 2015, Universal Studios released the first official trailer. The red band trailer was preceded by an introduction featuring N.W.A members Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. A second global trailer for Straight Outta Compton was released on April 1, 2015, and was attached with theatrical screenings of Universal's Furious 7.
On August 7, 2015, to help promote the film, Beats by Dre launched a new app through the website StraightOuttaSomewhere.com. The app allows users to create a meme by uploading a picture with the "Straight Outta" logo and fill in the blank with a location of their choice. Some people did proclaim that they were "Straight Outta" a certain city or locale, while others uploaded funny images and phrases. In under 24 hours, over 78,000 "Straight Outta" images were downloaded on social media sites and over 6 million downloads were generated before the film's opening day. Inquisitr.com proclaimed, "It’s a successful viral photo campaign that is definitely bringing attention to the movieStraight Outta Compton."
Main article: Compton (album):
On August 7, 2015, Dr. Dre released the album Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre exclusively on Apple Music and the iTunes Store. Though not an official soundtrack to the filmStraight Outta Compton, Dr. Dre said this album would be "inspired by the movie,During principal photography of Straight Outta Compton, I felt myself going to the studio and being so inspired by the movie that I started recording an album," Dre said on The Pharmacy, his radio show on Beats 1. "It's an 'inspired by' album. It's inspired by Straight Outta Compton." Part of Straight Outta Compton's successful opening has been attributed to Compton: A Soundtrack, Dr. Dre's first collection of original music since his 1999's2001 album, which was released a week prior to the film's premiere and debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 charts and No. 1 on the iTunes charts. Dr. Dre says he will donate royalties from his new album to the city of Compton for a new performing arts facility.[64]
In 1986, friends Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, DJ Yella and MC Ren form N.W.A under Eazy-E's new label Ruthless Records inCompton, California. After the success of their first single, Eazy-E's "Boyz-n-the-Hood", music manager Jerry Heller sees potential in the group, negotiates with them and is hired by Eazy-E to be their manager. Following a show, the group is picked up by Priority Records, which gives them the resources they need to make their first album, Straight Outta Compton. At this point, only Eazy-E has received a contract from Heller and the label, while the others still wait for theirs.
After Straight Outta Compton is released and becomes a smash hit, N.W.A goes on a national tour across the United States. Along the way, the group encounters many protests directed against them. At one show in Detroit, a violent riot escalates after the group is arrested for performing "Fuck tha Police" against the police's wishes. Shortly after, Ice Cube becomes suspicious of Heller's management and his relationship with Eazy-E. He promptly confronts the two and is told that the remaining contracts are still being written. Finally, on the night before the group returns home from their tour, Ice Cube meets with Heller to sign the contract papers. He decides not to sign when he discovers that all the other group members would be making less money than Eazy-E despite the fact that each one, as a collective, did the same amount of work to make the group successful. In addition, Ice Cube learns that he was the last one to sign off on the contract. Angered by these discoveries, Ice Cube leaves the group after the tour and pursues a solo career.
Following the tour, Ice Cube has a very well received first solo album, which also gains more popularity and sales than Straight Outta Compton. Feeling envious against his success, the group immediately releases the EP 100 Miles and Runnin', where they attacked Ice Cube for leaving. Angered by this, Ice Cube makes a diss track attacking the group and Heller. During this time, with the production of N.W.A's second album Niggaz4Life and The D.O.C.'s near fatal car accident, Dre becomes associated with Suge Knight, who tries to convince Dre to leave N.W.A to start his own company with him. Realizing that Heller is taking advantage of him, Dre meets with Eazy-E to try and work out the contract. When this fails, Dre leaves the group and forms Death Row Records with Knight. Following these events, Eazy-E is physically assaulted by Knight and his crew in their effort to persuade him to sign off on Dre's contract with him and Heller. Despite all this chaos, Dre enjoys his new found freedom, comes out with The Chronic and begins producing songs for other rappers, such as Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur. Dre later becomes upset when he notices Suge Knight's violent behavior and lifestyle and begins to wonder if he had made the right choice.
Now without Dre and Ice Cube, Eazy-E begins to suspect that Heller is being less than truthful in his business practices as money starts disappearing from their label. He also becomes ill but continues to ignore suggestions by others to see a physician. At a club in New York City in December 1994, Eazy-E and Ice Cube cross paths and rekindle their friendship, with Cube saying that without Heller, he is ready to re-form N.W.A. After returning home, Eazy-E finds out that Heller had indeed embezzled money from the group and fires him. He later calls Dre to let him know that he fired Heller and wants to revive N.W.A. Dre agrees and Yella, Ren and Eazy-E begin working on new material. During one of the sessions, Eazy-E collapses and is taken to the hospital where he is diagnosed with HIV. During his treatment, each member of the group emotionally visits with Eazy-E before his death on March 26, 1995. The film concludes with Dr. Dre meeting with Suge Knight and telling Knight he is leaving to start his own label.
During the credits, it is shown that Ice Cube still records music and has become a successful actor with films such as Boyz n the Hood, Friday, Barbershop, and Ride Along. Dr. Dre is shown to have formed Aftermath Entertainment in 1996, where he signed Detroit rapper Eminem and Queens rapper 50 Cent, both crediting him for their success. Dre also started Beats Electronics which was purchased by Apple Inc. for $3 billion.
Development:
Casting:
Casting calls began in the middle of 2010. There had been rumors of Lil Eazy E playing his late father Eazy-E, and Ice Cube's son and fellow rapper O'Shea Jackson Jr. playing his father as well. Ice Cube said of the movie, "We're taking it to the nooks and crannies, I think deeper than any other article or documentary on the group," he said. "These are the intimate conversations that helped forge N.W.A. To me, I think it's interesting to anybody who loves that era and I don't know any other movie where you can mix Gangster Rap, the F.B.I., L.A. Riots, HIV, and fucking feuding with each other. This movie has everything from Daryl Gates and the battering ram."
On February 21, 2014, director Gray announced a March 9, 2014 open casting call for the film in Gardena, California, via his Twitter account. There were also open casting calls in Atlanta and Chicago. Rapper YG auditioned to play MC Ren in the film. The project was scheduled to start filming in April 2014 but was pushed backed due to casting delays.
On June 18, 2014, Universal officially announced that the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton would be released theatrically on August 14, 2015. It was also confirmed that Ice Cube's son, O'Shea Jackson Jr., would play a younger version of his father in the film. O'Shea Jr. joined Jason Mitchell and Corey Hawkins, who portrayed group members Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, respectively.In early July 2014, casting directors for the film issued a casting call for extras and vintage cars in the Los Angeles area. The casting call release stated that filming would begin in August 2014.In July 2014, it was confirmed Aldis Hodge would portray MC Ren and Neil Brown, Jr. would play DJ Yella. On August 15, 2014, Paul Giamatti joined the cast to play N.W.A's manager Jerry Heller. On August 26, 2014, Keith Stanfield joined the cast to play Snoop Dogg.
On June 16, 2015, Ice Cube revealed that a "Tupac scene" had been shot for the film.Entertainment Weekly reported that the role of Tupac Shakur in the film would be played by newcomer Marcc Rose, who was once rumored to be cast by John Singleton in his unmade Tupac biopic.
Casting call controversy:
On July 16, 2014, a casting call for extras for Straight Outta Compton was released on the Sande Alessi Casting Facebook page. The casting call was looking for African-American girls for the film using an A-D ranking scale. Though the "A girls" category was looking for drop dead gorgeous "classy" women of all colors, the "B through D" categories were very explicitly linked with skin-tone. As the women get less attractive, the casting call wants the women's flesh tone to be darker, with the lowest listing calling for "African American girls. Poor, not in good shape. Medium to dark skin tone." The casting call post went viral as people expressed their outrage of what they call colorism,sexism, and racism in the categorizing of black women. A representative for Sande Alessi Casting said the ad was an "innocent mistake" and when it comes to casting "poor" people, they're also looking for women of various skin tones and body types. As for the A,B,C,D grouping system, Sande Alessi Casting says "it's the usual method [they] use to look for different types of people for any project and it wasn't meant to offend anyone."
On July 16, 2014, a casting call for extras for Straight Outta Compton was released on the Sande Alessi Casting Facebook page. The casting call was looking for African-American girls for the film using an A-D ranking scale. Though the "A girls" category was looking for drop dead gorgeous "classy" women of all colors, the "B through D" categories were very explicitly linked with skin-tone. As the women get less attractive, the casting call wants the women's flesh tone to be darker, with the lowest listing calling for "African American girls. Poor, not in good shape. Medium to dark skin tone." The casting call post went viral as people expressed their outrage of what they call colorism,sexism, and racism in the categorizing of black women. A representative for Sande Alessi Casting said the ad was an "innocent mistake" and when it comes to casting "poor" people, they're also looking for women of various skin tones and body types. As for the A,B,C,D grouping system, Sande Alessi Casting says "it's the usual method [they] use to look for different types of people for any project and it wasn't meant to offend anyone."
Filming:
Principal photography for Straight Outta Compton began on location in Compton, California on August 5, 2014. In early September 2014, principal exterior shooting on a large post-riot set was observed on Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood.
Principal photography for Straight Outta Compton began on location in Compton, California on August 5, 2014. In early September 2014, principal exterior shooting on a large post-riot set was observed on Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood.
Violence on set:
On August 12, 2014, TMZ reported that just seven days into filming in Compton, a drive-by shooting took place directly in front of the cast and crew members while they were on the set. A group of men standing outside the Compton Courthouse flashed gang signs at a passing car and passengers in the car opened fire on the group. No one affiliated with the film was injured or hurt, but one civilian near the set was shot. Despite the incident, it was announced that filming would continue to take place as planned in the city.
On January 29, 2015, Suge Knight was involved in a hit-and-run incident that left one man dead and another hospitalized. Witnesses claim that Knight followed the men after an argument on the Straight Outta Compton film set to a burger stand parking lot in Compton, and that the collisions looked intentional. Security footage video was released online in early March showing Knight running over both men but which Knight's attorney said helps his client's self-defense claim. Killed was Terry Carter, co-founder (along with Ice Cube) of Heavyweight Records and a friend of Knight. The second victim, filmmaker Cle Sloan, suffered a mangled foot and head injuries.
Marketing:
In December 2014, during a show in Sydney, Australia, Ice Cube gave concertgoers a sneak peek at a trailer for Straight Outta Compton.When an executive producer of the film, Will Packer, was asked if Cube told him he was going to show the trailer or did he "just put it out there?", Packer responded, "Cube does what he does." He added, "Cube is the man. We back him. And I love the fact that it's out there and it's getting the response that it's getting, that's what I'll say."
On February 8, 2015, Universal Studios released the first official trailer. The red band trailer was preceded by an introduction featuring N.W.A members Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. A second global trailer for Straight Outta Compton was released on April 1, 2015, and was attached with theatrical screenings of Universal's Furious 7.
On August 7, 2015, to help promote the film, Beats by Dre launched a new app through the website StraightOuttaSomewhere.com. The app allows users to create a meme by uploading a picture with the "Straight Outta" logo and fill in the blank with a location of their choice. Some people did proclaim that they were "Straight Outta" a certain city or locale, while others uploaded funny images and phrases. In under 24 hours, over 78,000 "Straight Outta" images were downloaded on social media sites and over 6 million downloads were generated before the film's opening day. Inquisitr.com proclaimed, "It’s a successful viral photo campaign that is definitely bringing attention to the movieStraight Outta Compton."
Compton
Main article: Compton (album):
On August 7, 2015, Dr. Dre released the album Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre exclusively on Apple Music and the iTunes Store. Though not an official soundtrack to the filmStraight Outta Compton, Dr. Dre said this album would be "inspired by the movie,During principal photography of Straight Outta Compton, I felt myself going to the studio and being so inspired by the movie that I started recording an album," Dre said on The Pharmacy, his radio show on Beats 1. "It's an 'inspired by' album. It's inspired by Straight Outta Compton." Part of Straight Outta Compton's successful opening has been attributed to Compton: A Soundtrack, Dr. Dre's first collection of original music since his 1999's2001 album, which was released a week prior to the film's premiere and debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 charts and No. 1 on the iTunes charts. Dr. Dre says he will donate royalties from his new album to the city of Compton for a new performing arts facility.[64]
Security concerns:
Straight Outta Compton premiered on August 10, 2015 at the entertainment complex LA Live in Los Angeles, California. An earlier report by L.A. Weekly noted that the LAPD was "beefing up its presence" for the event and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that organizers had "tripled security" for the red-carpet premiere. Due to concerns surrounding the violent content depicted in the film, it was reported that movie theaters were hiring extra security during the film's opening weekend and Universal Studios would be "reimbursing" theaters for the cost of adding that security. Universal would later state that the studio was not reimbursing theaters for extra security, but would be "partnering" with theaters seeking "support" during screenings of the film. No major incidents were reported at showings of the film during its opening weekend. Some critics say it was because of the extra security at some theaters, others argued that it shows the extra security was unnecessary.
Straight Outta Compton premiered on August 10, 2015 at the entertainment complex LA Live in Los Angeles, California. An earlier report by L.A. Weekly noted that the LAPD was "beefing up its presence" for the event and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that organizers had "tripled security" for the red-carpet premiere. Due to concerns surrounding the violent content depicted in the film, it was reported that movie theaters were hiring extra security during the film's opening weekend and Universal Studios would be "reimbursing" theaters for the cost of adding that security. Universal would later state that the studio was not reimbursing theaters for extra security, but would be "partnering" with theaters seeking "support" during screenings of the film. No major incidents were reported at showings of the film during its opening weekend. Some critics say it was because of the extra security at some theaters, others argued that it shows the extra security was unnecessary.
RECEPTION
Box office:
As of September 13, 2015, Straight Outta Compton has grossed $155.7 million in North America and $25 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $180.7 million, against a budget of $28 million.
In the United States and Canada, the opening weekend projections for Straight Outta Compton was continuously revised upwards, starting from $25 million and going as high as $60 million. The film made $4.96 million from Thursday night shows, which began at 7 p.m. in 2,264 theaters. After its strong Thursday night showing, Universal was able to add nearly 500 theaters for the film's opening weekend.Straight Outta Compton made $24.1 million on its opening day, which is the fourth biggest August opening in history. It finished first at the box office in its opening weekend, earning $60.2 million from 2,757 theaters. Its opening weekend total was the fifth-best August opening weekend of all-time, the highest in August for an R-rated film, and the highest for a musical biopic.
After a strong first full week showing ($84.7 million in the US), Universal added Straight Outta Compton to over 200 more theaters. The film grossed $26.4 million in its second weekend and, again, finished first at the box office ahead of the week's new releases Sinister 2, Hitman: Agent 47, and American Ultra.
On August 27, 2015, Straight Outta Compton became the highest grossing music biopic of all-time in the United States with $120.9 million, passing the 2005 Johnny Cash biopicWalk the Line 's $119.5 million total. Straight Outta Compton grossed $13.1 million in its third weekend and, once again, finished first at the box office ahead of the week's new releases War Room, No Escape, and We Are Your Friends.
As of September 13, 2015, Straight Outta Compton has grossed $155.7 million in North America and $25 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $180.7 million, against a budget of $28 million.
In the United States and Canada, the opening weekend projections for Straight Outta Compton was continuously revised upwards, starting from $25 million and going as high as $60 million. The film made $4.96 million from Thursday night shows, which began at 7 p.m. in 2,264 theaters. After its strong Thursday night showing, Universal was able to add nearly 500 theaters for the film's opening weekend.Straight Outta Compton made $24.1 million on its opening day, which is the fourth biggest August opening in history. It finished first at the box office in its opening weekend, earning $60.2 million from 2,757 theaters. Its opening weekend total was the fifth-best August opening weekend of all-time, the highest in August for an R-rated film, and the highest for a musical biopic.
After a strong first full week showing ($84.7 million in the US), Universal added Straight Outta Compton to over 200 more theaters. The film grossed $26.4 million in its second weekend and, again, finished first at the box office ahead of the week's new releases Sinister 2, Hitman: Agent 47, and American Ultra.
On August 27, 2015, Straight Outta Compton became the highest grossing music biopic of all-time in the United States with $120.9 million, passing the 2005 Johnny Cash biopicWalk the Line 's $119.5 million total. Straight Outta Compton grossed $13.1 million in its third weekend and, once again, finished first at the box office ahead of the week's new releases War Room, No Escape, and We Are Your Friends.
Critical response:
Straight Outta Compton has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 90%, based on 162 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The site's consensus reads, "Straight Outta Compton is a biopic that's built to last, thanks to F. Gary Gray's confident direction and engaging performances from a solid cast."On Metacritic, it has a score of 72 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".On CinemaScore, audiences gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.
Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film 3.5 stars out of 4, calling the film "enthralling" and "energized", praising the cast for delivering "strong, memorable work that transcends mere imitation." He called the film "one of the better musical biopics of the last 20 years." Lou Lumenick of the New York Post, also awarding the film a 3.5/4, called it "one of the summer's most entertaining and provocative movies", finding it "surprisingly candid" about the negatives in N.W.A.'s career for a film produced by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre themselves.Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, again giving the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, also praised the film for its honesty in its portrayal of the group and praised Jackson's performance as Ice Cube, as well as the supporting cast, finding Mitchell's Eazy-E "award-caliber". However, he did wish that the film elaborated more on the group's troubles involving misogyny, homophobia and the media. Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal found the group's musical performances to be "far and away the most appealing parts of the picture." However, he criticized the film for slowing down towards the end, particularly when it gets "ploddingly sentimental" once it focuses on the decline and death of Eazy-E.
Scott Foundas of Variety praised director Gray for taking familiar biopic paces and bringing a "richness of observation to the table that transcends cliche." He also praised the film for its "high but never overindulgent" style and the attention to detail in the production, ranging from the "exhaustively researched" screenplay to the "meticulous care" involved in assembling the film's soundtrack. He stated, "if “Compton” is undeniably of the moment, it’s also timeless in its depiction of how artists and writers transform the world around them into angry, profane, vibrant and singular personal expression." Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune stated, "Straight Outta Compton at its best evokes the heady atmosphere of Crenshaw Boulevard and what the group’s success meant to Compton, and vice versa. When the songs themselves take center stage the movie works. What remains in the wings constitutes another, fuller story."
In a polarized review, Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times felt that the film attempted to take on more storylines than it could handle, also criticizing how bloated it becomes towards the end regarding Heller, though he did praise Giamatti's performance. Jordan Hoffman of The Guardian also criticized the film's second half for being "cheesy" and "[playing] it too safe". Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The A.V. Club gave the film a C, feeling it had to rely on its timeliness for its thematic weight, and saying the film "simplifies N.W.A.’s arc to a gangster-movie knock-off about three friends from way back when who are driven apart by bad influences." The Washington Post noted the film's "lack of interest in process and personality" compared to the concurrently-released music biopic Love & Mercy, writing: "it’s no contest as to which Giamatti picture is the better depiction of the actual music-making process."
According to a poll conducted by Rentrak during the film's opening weekend, audiences gave the film a full 5 out of 5 stars, a rare achievement for any film, with most box office mega-hits usually rated at between 4 or 4.5 stars in the previous Rentrak polls. The film is very popular among the female moviegoers, with 74% of the male and 76% of the female audience giving the film a definite recommend – very high marks in Rentrak. The subject matter and plot were the primary reasons given by 38% of moviegoers for coming out to see Straight Outta Compton.
On August 27, 2015, Heller reported to the Los Angeles Times that he had seen the film: "I'm still not willing to comment right now on that movie because I think sooner or later it may be part of an ongoing litigation.
Straight Outta Compton has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 90%, based on 162 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The site's consensus reads, "Straight Outta Compton is a biopic that's built to last, thanks to F. Gary Gray's confident direction and engaging performances from a solid cast."On Metacritic, it has a score of 72 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".On CinemaScore, audiences gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.
Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film 3.5 stars out of 4, calling the film "enthralling" and "energized", praising the cast for delivering "strong, memorable work that transcends mere imitation." He called the film "one of the better musical biopics of the last 20 years." Lou Lumenick of the New York Post, also awarding the film a 3.5/4, called it "one of the summer's most entertaining and provocative movies", finding it "surprisingly candid" about the negatives in N.W.A.'s career for a film produced by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre themselves.Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, again giving the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, also praised the film for its honesty in its portrayal of the group and praised Jackson's performance as Ice Cube, as well as the supporting cast, finding Mitchell's Eazy-E "award-caliber". However, he did wish that the film elaborated more on the group's troubles involving misogyny, homophobia and the media. Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal found the group's musical performances to be "far and away the most appealing parts of the picture." However, he criticized the film for slowing down towards the end, particularly when it gets "ploddingly sentimental" once it focuses on the decline and death of Eazy-E.
Scott Foundas of Variety praised director Gray for taking familiar biopic paces and bringing a "richness of observation to the table that transcends cliche." He also praised the film for its "high but never overindulgent" style and the attention to detail in the production, ranging from the "exhaustively researched" screenplay to the "meticulous care" involved in assembling the film's soundtrack. He stated, "if “Compton” is undeniably of the moment, it’s also timeless in its depiction of how artists and writers transform the world around them into angry, profane, vibrant and singular personal expression." Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune stated, "Straight Outta Compton at its best evokes the heady atmosphere of Crenshaw Boulevard and what the group’s success meant to Compton, and vice versa. When the songs themselves take center stage the movie works. What remains in the wings constitutes another, fuller story."
In a polarized review, Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times felt that the film attempted to take on more storylines than it could handle, also criticizing how bloated it becomes towards the end regarding Heller, though he did praise Giamatti's performance. Jordan Hoffman of The Guardian also criticized the film's second half for being "cheesy" and "[playing] it too safe". Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The A.V. Club gave the film a C, feeling it had to rely on its timeliness for its thematic weight, and saying the film "simplifies N.W.A.’s arc to a gangster-movie knock-off about three friends from way back when who are driven apart by bad influences." The Washington Post noted the film's "lack of interest in process and personality" compared to the concurrently-released music biopic Love & Mercy, writing: "it’s no contest as to which Giamatti picture is the better depiction of the actual music-making process."
According to a poll conducted by Rentrak during the film's opening weekend, audiences gave the film a full 5 out of 5 stars, a rare achievement for any film, with most box office mega-hits usually rated at between 4 or 4.5 stars in the previous Rentrak polls. The film is very popular among the female moviegoers, with 74% of the male and 76% of the female audience giving the film a definite recommend – very high marks in Rentrak. The subject matter and plot were the primary reasons given by 38% of moviegoers for coming out to see Straight Outta Compton.
On August 27, 2015, Heller reported to the Los Angeles Times that he had seen the film: "I'm still not willing to comment right now on that movie because I think sooner or later it may be part of an ongoing litigation.
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_Outta_Compton_(2015_film)
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