Strapped

Although this is a credible story with good directing, I found the characters not very believable and some of the acting over done. Bokeem Woodbine as Diquan Mitchell is okay, but the turnaround in his state of mind at the end of the show is quite astonishing.

The ending leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Sure, it may be intentional but it unravels the whole point of the movie. What I thought was the story of a ex-con trying to make good his life suddenly ends in a socio drama reflecting the sad situation of the black community in Brooklyn. Everything seems to be a wasted effort -- there's just no conclusion.

This is an absolutley great film. Forest Whiteka has excelled himself with a great detailed account of the lives of young black youths struggling through poverty to survive. The director of photography has chosen some brilliant urban backdrops to set the picture alive, almost as if you're a third person view within the film. The story is compelling and well structured, sure it's been done before, but it's the way it has been done that makes this movie so interesting to watch. Has some classic elements of other films such as The Warriors in places, but this only adds to the surreal effect being created here by Forest!

It also has some of the most shocking scenes from the 1993 era. A definite must see for urban-gangsta fans everywhere. Bokeem displays an amazing performance.

Why it wasn't a video release seems beyond me.

I thought this was a superb hood movie. I don't know why it isn't up their with all the other good ones.

It has an original story. Plenty of good plot development.

The acting was good most of the time. Sometimes it would seem a tiny bit bad but all and all it was pretty good. Bokeem Woodbine who plays the main character stands out, as does Fredro Starr who plays his friend. Also good acting by some of the younger members of the cast.

One thing that stood out was the soundtrack. Not just because it was rap music and this is a hood movie, the songs were appropriate to what was happening at the time in the movie.

Another good thing was the directing. Great job Forest Whitaker! That stood out as well.

Overall it should prove to be an entertaining, exciting and powerful movie with a powerful message. Another must see for hood movie fans.

I must give credit where credit is due. This film has a pretty good, well-structured script, with a powerful crisis and climax in the end. I must commend the writer for putting together such a script.

But the acting wasn't convincing most of the time, and the Brooklyn portrayal, which includes the character's choices of clothing, didn't give a realistic image of the Brooklyn I know. I would also probably change the music in the film, cut-out the snippets of reggae music during the revealing of a gun in the film, and the emphasis made on the main actors to look like thugs. The actors over did their performances as criminals most of the time and it was a bit distracting to someone, like myself, who grew up hanging out with true thugs from the streets of Brooklyn, New York.

But besides all of that, the film was still great. From a grade of A+, being excellent, to a F, being the worst, I give this film a C...

If you haven't been to the streets of an urban town where drugs and guns are on the boost of popularity, then this is the film for you. After seeing Strapped you'll know exactly what happens in places all over the world where teenagers become shcool drop-outs and gun buyers. Strapped is a film which keeps you awake during the whole movie. Watch it, you won't be disappointed!