The biggest rap group that was never known to me until now, even when I grew up in that era. Then again, I now understand why.
As a biography, one can never be too sure how close to the truth a movie is. This one is no different as most of the members are still working today and I believe they do have a say in the final portrayal of their life story.
However, this group of actors that they recruited were very good. Particularly the big three. Corey Hawkins as Dr. Dre, Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E, and especially Ice Cube's son, O'Shea Jackson as Ice Cube. There's no nepotism here as Jackson can really act. And Mitchell even had some people talking about a Best Supporting nomination (though now we know that did not come to pass).
These guys had quite a life story, and director F. Gary Gray did such a great job telling it. I thought he captured the atmosphere of the racial reality well, as well as the struggle between each of their relationships was very compelling to watch. Gray also got another great performance out of Paul Giamatti.
However, the relationship outside of the core group did not fare as well. The relationship with spouses or their children were very watered down and very inconsequential, to a point where I didn't even know who had romantic relationships with who, or whatever happened to Dre's son.
And I thought the final act wasn't uncovered well. It's as if the movie and its director lost steam and just ended the movie as conveniently as they could. Otherwise this could have been an even better movie.
Still, the movie made me interested in their music, and in that sense it is quite the success.
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