Man, sometimes it is so hard to write these. And then I start writing about another title and halfway through I get bored with that movie. Doesn’t happen a lot, but it happens. I’m trying to think the first time I would have seen this movie… it would have been when I was in Middle School… so it came out in 1991, and I’m either in 6th or 7th grade, totally deep in listening to rap and hip-hop so that’s probably my introduction to the music from this movie. On top of that to then watch the movie which probably wasn’t appropriate for me in middle school? Man, I absolutely adored this the first time I saw it and it’s a classic so I’m glad I finally wrote an article on this one.
Okay, where do I begin with this one? The movie is set on the streets of New York City where Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) is a drug kingpin controlling the cocaine game in Harlem. As he continues to get bigger, a cop, driven a bit by revenge, teams up with some other law enforcement officers to take him down. I swear this flick is awesome and probably not for the young ones but the story alone I hope hooked you.
Let’s jump into the cast: probably the biggest reason I love this flick. Snipes you should know from being still top three casting of a comic character ever as Blade. But you should also know him from classics like Demolition Man, Major League, Passenger 57, Rising Sun, and super-underrated U. S. Marshalls. Fell on hard times, of course, but thankfully has made a bit of a resurgence, and hopefully another Blade appearance. Next is the cop. Detective Scotty Appleton, played by the extremely underrated actor Ice-T. You know I love most movies he has been in, including Surviving the Game (see Have You Not Seen This? Volume 1). But he is also great in Ricochet, Trespass, hell, even Tank Girl. Oh, and Mean Guns. I loved that flick, maybe a future article. Anyway, he is awesome in this flick and steals scenes in it. Let me round out the CMB (Cash Money Brothers) Gang. The gang muscle is played by Bill Nunn. Not a common name, but you will recognize him instantly. I will always know him as Radio Raheem from Do the Right Thing, but I grew up with that movie. Pretty sure he is also a recurring character in the Tobey Spiderman flicks. Again, solid actor. The number two in the gang is Gee Money played by Allen Payne, mostly known for his role in Jason’s Lyric and a run on the Tyler Perry House of Payne TV show. Next is one of the ladies of the gang, Keisha, played by Vanessa Williams. And crazy that this is her first starring role. But she has done tons of stuff including Candyman and reprising her role in the remake. Enough of the gang, let’s round out the cops: Ice-T’s partner is Detective Nick Peretti, played by Judd Nelson, and this is far from his Brat Pack roles. As I was mentally running through his roles, besides the obvious The Breakfast Club, I think this is my second favorite acting job of his. He’s not predominantly featured but awesome in every scene. Let’s do two more. The snitch Pookie is played by Chris Rock. Yes three Grammy, four Emmy Chris Rock. This is the first film where he is a main character, and he is awesome. Like, really really solid acting by him. Okay, the last cast member is, according to IMDB, listed as Old Man. That Old Man is the late great Bill Cobb. He Started acting in 1974 as a man on a platform in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, and worked pretty much non-stop on TV and in movies until 2023. You will see the face and know twenty appearances he made and why I mention him is because his lines in this flick are stupendous. But first, the crew.
The director of this fantastic edgy film is Mario Van Peebles. Who also stars in it, but let’s just say Mario does not get enough flowers. He is a solid Director, solid Actor, and son of the great Melvin Van Peebles. But directing, I always loved Posse and Panther. He has done tons of TV shows, but those stood out to me. And again as an actor he is just a tier below great action star. Awesome in Heartbreak Ridge, Awesome in Gunmen, Awesome in Full Eclipse and of course Highlander 3. Just super solid. The screenplay was written by Thomas Lee Wright, who is kind of a creative background executive. He worked on The Godfather 3 script and 48 Hours and Trading Places. Kind of a big shot but not a name most people know. Pretty sure this was his first screenplay and story he wrote. Super cool and not a bad rookie season. The other screenwriter on this was Barry Michael Cooper, who is known for writing this flick Sugar Hill and Above the Rim. All great flicks.
How about the music? That was what immediately made me find this movie and learn to love it, because the soundtrack is so, so good. I will always know it for being my introduction to the New Jack Hustler by Ice-T. Amazing. But I was recently reminded that this soundtrack had two number 1 billboard hits on it and also had an extremely popular Color Me Badd song. Unreal. I also believe Keith Sweat is in the movie, and performs the song that he is on the soundtrack. I mean, how cool. Two little music associated nuggets as well. I know Fab Five Freddy and Flavor Flav appear in the movie, but I did not know that Eek-A-Mouse is also in this movie. He is a reggae guy that if you know some reggae or went down that rabbit hole you would find his stuff. Just random facts for you.
Okay, my favorite part of the movie. The quotes. This one has a bunch.
- “Am I my brother’s keeper?” — Nino Brown.
- “Money talks, bullshit runs a marathon. So, see ya and I wouldn’t want to be ya.” — Nino Brown.
- “I don’t have time for this, man. This is a war out here.” — Scotty Appleton.
- “Cancel that bitch, I’ll buy another one.” – Nino Brown
- “You gotta rob to get rich in the Reagan era.” – Nino Brown
- “I should have killed you myself, bitch!” – Scotty Appleton
- “Idolater! Your soul is required in hell!” – Old Man
So I hope I did a decent job selling you on this one. Kind of a 90s urban crime action thriller, with a rock solid cast. Looks like it is free on Amazon Prime but worse-case my normal $4 deal stands true. You hate it, I owe you four bucks. Last nugget for you. When Mario Van Peebles was starring in Heartbreak Ridge with Clint Eastwood (also a solid movie) Mario was trying to get this film made with him attached as the director. And since he was a bit of an unknown no one was anxious to give it to him or let him do it. Clint told them to give the kid a shot. Which they did. Solid on Clint.
