I think it was the Rockstar Games logo that caught my eye on this one. At first glance I was guessing it would be a doco on the Grand Theft Auto franchise. I mean just look at the cover, it has a low rider that would be the ideal car to use to get a bj in the game. It isn't though.
What it is though is a doco on the legendary Compton California low-rider club The Majestics. I say legendary, but before the film I had no idea who these cats were. That didn't affect the viewing though. I'm as white as they come and while watching it I wished I owned a 67 Impala. I wanted the 3-wheel motion, I wanted the Dayton's, and I wanted my own Majestics emblem.
More than just a film about low-riders, it's a film about guys who grew up when gang banging was the hot topic. These guys, now grown, somehow made it. Now instead of resorting to gang violence of the past, they get together in a new violent free gang
their low-rider club. The film has some really in depth interviews that gives the viewer the history of the club and most importantly the people. The many characters that you meet is the gold. The most enjoyable character to me was Gangsta.
With a name like Gangsta you knew the guy would be up front and tough, and he was. I could listen to this guy talk for days
days I say. I think though that through the story of Gangsta I may have found how this film fell through the cracks. During the film the topic of drug using and selling comes up several times. Gangsta says on more than a few occasions that he gave up the lifestyle long ago, however he never mentions his current profession
yet he has several world recognized low riders. The most notable and the most gorgeous car I have ever seen belongs to him also
The Santana.
As the film shifts from a story about the Majestics, to one about gang banging in Compton a grim reality is realized. Gangsta is in fact still a gangsta. He is busted with 40lbs. of Cocaine and pounds of marijuana. With the groups leader in jail it almost seems that the very foundation of their club has turned into a lie. But these guys keep on
on least the ones that love it do. The film is filled with heart, soul and a soundtrack that will make anyone want to have a Summer Bar-B-Q.
