Reviews (23)

Sleeper Hit Of Last Year.
Aight, first let's look at the fact of the cover art, not very exciting,and there wassn't much of any publicitiy for this film either, unlike pulp fiction, or something of that nature,now in my humble opinion, tupac's an amazing actor,I loved gridlock'd , above the rim, juice,bullet. every role he's played, are good, he isn't the best actor in hollywood though,and give james belushi some props, he did an excellent job, and they had excellent chemistry together, until, "Decieving" came into play , this movie, itself, was pure genius, I loved every second of it, tupac makes the movie, entertaining,and dark,and gritty, much like gridlock'd,and belushi, well belushi, will always be a favorite of mine, we'll always miss his brother, so rest in peace, tupac shakur, you are missed,more so then you know, and for you jim belushi, well at least heaven has a great actor, and a great entertainer (Tupac) - Increase the peace. * from Boy'z In the hood* - an incredible, urban film, a masterpiece,and again in my humble opinion, cuba gooding jr's ,most powerfull, personal, intense role, and lets not forget ice cube, thanks for reading my review, I hope it helped you choose this excellent movie, Five Stars. - also, "please" any tupac fans, or just, movie connoisseurs, like myself, "EMAIL ME"

From The Church Of The Saint,

Michael "The Saint" Vincent.

Mix it up
It's Jim Belushi's acting that saves this film, yet his character is too dumb to be credible, as is the premise of the film. He's a vicious corrupt cop who doesn't check anything twice, just shoots and doesn't ask any questions--later or at any time. Yet because of Belushi's strong acting talents, his character is almost believable.

He and his partner, played by a wildly overacting Tupac Shakur, have a nasty profitable scam going: they set up trades with drug dealers, then kill the latter for the drugs which they can sell again. Here's another problem--any money cops use for set ups has to be authorized by higher ups, then accounted for. There's no mention of that in the film; how do they get away with keeping the money? It's also mentioned that they've pulled this 11 times. OK, so after all those times, NOBODY on the force investigates how it is that so many drug dealers have died after a set up put in place by the same two cops over and over? Also not credible.

The two thug cops kill a drug dealer who turns out to be an undercover DEA agent and fellow DEA guy Gary Cole pulls in and starts hassling the precinct for answers. Cole also overacts here; he's a caricature, not a character.

However, as an upscale attorney, James Earl Jones does a fine job, as does Dennis Quaid as a surprising suspect the thug cops have framed for the murder of the DEA agent. Yet the surprise that comes with discovering Quaid's real identity is another plot point that severely strains credibility.

The film seems to be a collection of characters thrown together to flesh out a collection of random, often non-credible, and distinctly unrelated story segments that have not been thought through. Even the ending is disappointing--you can smell it coming a mile away.

In spite of all the above, this is not a bad film because the pacing and momentum are strong enough--along with the acting of Belushi, Jones, and Quaid--to carry it through to its predictable end. Belushi is on screen most of the time and he's a lot of fun to watch. You're thinking no cop can be that dumb, but his acting chops make you feel that if a guy could be this crude and vicious, then, OK, maybe he COULD be that dumb.

A truly mixed bag. Your call.

tupac's best movie
I thought the movie had a good plot to it. What i like about the movie is it keeps me to the edge of my seat and i dont want to pause it to go to the restroom or anything.Its Tupac's best movie, if he was still alive i think he would be one of the best rappers/Actors alive. The only thing i dont really like about the movie the ending. I really think they could of done a better job.

Best Of Tupac and James!!!
This movie is the best from the two best actors. Tupac's official last movie. Super great actor, never again will there be another like Tupac Shakur. James Belushi did a super great acting job, like always.

RIP Tupac Shakur (1971-1996).

GANG RELATED review
James Belushi and rapper Tupac Shakur in his final performance before his death are corrupt detectives who murder an undercover DEA agent and try to pin the murder on someone else. With the help of Belushi's stripper girlfriend, played by Lela Rechon, the two go on a rampage trying to find the perfect suspect to tag the murder to. When the murdered DEA agent's colleagues keep asking questions, the cops feel even more pressured to produce any evidence that distances them from the murder.

Belushi and Shakur make for a good team in an otherwise average crime thriller. Belushi is the more brutal of the two as he goes around kicking and blasting while the more sympathetic Shakur is trying to keep it together and also seems to feel some form of guilt over the crimes that he and his partner have committed. As is often the case in films like this, the deeper the two cops get in trying to cover up their crime, the more their world seems to fall apart. Real criminals that they have arrested are acquitted because they have used the stolen evidence in other cases, some of their phony witnesseses are buckling under pressure, and the man who they try to stick the murder charge to turns out to be more than what they expected. Through it all, Belushi and Shakur have a real chemistry and the audience often finds itself rooting for these guys who are in all honesty, complete jerks.

Many of Shakur's hardcore fans often praise his performance, which is real good, but Belushi is the one carrying the team here. Not to say that Shakur does not give an excellent performance but his role is less-defined so without Belushi, the film doesn't work. He is the one we all love to hate here. A scumbag homicide cop with homicidal tendencies who seems to keep testing his luck in every area. Shakur is more or less the guilty conscience of the duo. The more the story progresses, the worse he seems to feel about what he has done.

The interesting thing is how Shakur's character compliments Belushi's. Once the two are no longer functioning as a unit, Belushi is lost in our eyes. The little sympathy we felt for his character is gone. The way that he distances himself from Shakur is one of the few noble things that he does in the film but unfortunately, without his partner to save him, he is beyond help. He is now just a renegade without a purpose and we as an audience know that wherever he is going, he is in for some trouble.

"Gang Related" is not an excellent movie. The story seems to wear thin in some areas but the film's two leads really keep this one above water. James Belushi turns in one of his best perfomances in some time in a role much different from what you're used to seeing from him. Shakur, in somewhat of a low-key performance is absolutely brilliant. Many people criticize rappers for trying to pick up a second paycheck without mastering the acting craft. Shakur is so natural as an actor, you would think it was his first love. It is a shame that Tupac never got an opportunity to be all that he could as far as acting goes. "Related" is not exactly an original concept but it is worth the time spent as it takes you for a nice little ride. On a side note, the Pac-influenced soundtrack of the film also helped give it a more professional feel. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Sleeper Hit Of Last Year.
Aight, first let's look at the fact of the cover art, not very exciting,and there wassn't much of any publicitiy for this film either, unlike pulp fiction, or something of that nature,now in my humble opinion, tupac's an amazing actor,I loved gridlock'd , above the rim, juice,bullet. every role he's played, are good, he isn't the best actor in hollywood though,and give james belushi some props, he did an excellent job, and they had excellent chemistry together, until, "Decieving" came into play , this movie, itself, was pure genius, I loved every second of it, tupac makes the movie, entertaining,and dark,and gritty, much like gridlock'd,and belushi, well belushi, will always be a favorite of mine, we'll always miss his brother, so rest in peace, tupac shakur, you are missed,more so then you know, and for you jim belushi, well at least heaven has a great actor, and a great entertainer (Tupac) - Increase the peace. * from Boy'z In the hood* - an incredible, urban film, a masterpiece,and again in my humble opinion, cuba gooding jr's ,most powerfull, personal, intense role, and lets not forget ice cube, thanks for reading my review, I hope it helped you choose this excellent movie, Five Stars. - also, "please" any tupac fans, or just, movie connoisseurs, like myself, "EMAIL ME"

From The Church Of The Saint,

Michael "The Saint" Vincent.

Mix it up
It's Jim Belushi's acting that saves this film, yet his character is too dumb to be credible, as is the premise of the film. He's a vicious corrupt cop who doesn't check anything twice, just shoots and doesn't ask any questions--later or at any time. Yet because of Belushi's strong acting talents, his character is almost believable.

He and his partner, played by a wildly overacting Tupac Shakur, have a nasty profitable scam going: they set up trades with drug dealers, then kill the latter for the drugs which they can sell again. Here's another problem--any money cops use for set ups has to be authorized by higher ups, then accounted for. There's no mention of that in the film; how do they get away with keeping the money? It's also mentioned that they've pulled this 11 times. OK, so after all those times, NOBODY on the force investigates how it is that so many drug dealers have died after a set up put in place by the same two cops over and over? Also not credible.

The two thug cops kill a drug dealer who turns out to be an undercover DEA agent and fellow DEA guy Gary Cole pulls in and starts hassling the precinct for answers. Cole also overacts here; he's a caricature, not a character.

However, as an upscale attorney, James Earl Jones does a fine job, as does Dennis Quaid as a surprising suspect the thug cops have framed for the murder of the DEA agent. Yet the surprise that comes with discovering Quaid's real identity is another plot point that severely strains credibility.

The film seems to be a collection of characters thrown together to flesh out a collection of random, often non-credible, and distinctly unrelated story segments that have not been thought through. Even the ending is disappointing--you can smell it coming a mile away.

In spite of all the above, this is not a bad film because the pacing and momentum are strong enough--along with the acting of Belushi, Jones, and Quaid--to carry it through to its predictable end. Belushi is on screen most of the time and he's a lot of fun to watch. You're thinking no cop can be that dumb, but his acting chops make you feel that if a guy could be this crude and vicious, then, OK, maybe he COULD be that dumb.

A truly mixed bag. Your call.

tupac's best movie
I thought the movie had a good plot to it. What i like about the movie is it keeps me to the edge of my seat and i dont want to pause it to go to the restroom or anything.Its Tupac's best movie, if he was still alive i think he would be one of the best rappers/Actors alive. The only thing i dont really like about the movie the ending. I really think they could of done a better job.

Best Of Tupac and James!!!
This movie is the best from the two best actors. Tupac's official last movie. Super great actor, never again will there be another like Tupac Shakur. James Belushi did a super great acting job, like always.

RIP Tupac Shakur (1971-1996).

GANG RELATED review
James Belushi and rapper Tupac Shakur in his final performance before his death are corrupt detectives who murder an undercover DEA agent and try to pin the murder on someone else. With the help of Belushi's stripper girlfriend, played by Lela Rechon, the two go on a rampage trying to find the perfect suspect to tag the murder to. When the murdered DEA agent's colleagues keep asking questions, the cops feel even more pressured to produce any evidence that distances them from the murder.

Belushi and Shakur make for a good team in an otherwise average crime thriller. Belushi is the more brutal of the two as he goes around kicking and blasting while the more sympathetic Shakur is trying to keep it together and also seems to feel some form of guilt over the crimes that he and his partner have committed. As is often the case in films like this, the deeper the two cops get in trying to cover up their crime, the more their world seems to fall apart. Real criminals that they have arrested are acquitted because they have used the stolen evidence in other cases, some of their phony witnesseses are buckling under pressure, and the man who they try to stick the murder charge to turns out to be more than what they expected. Through it all, Belushi and Shakur have a real chemistry and the audience often finds itself rooting for these guys who are in all honesty, complete jerks.

Many of Shakur's hardcore fans often praise his performance, which is real good, but Belushi is the one carrying the team here. Not to say that Shakur does not give an excellent performance but his role is less-defined so without Belushi, the film doesn't work. He is the one we all love to hate here. A scumbag homicide cop with homicidal tendencies who seems to keep testing his luck in every area. Shakur is more or less the guilty conscience of the duo. The more the story progresses, the worse he seems to feel about what he has done.

The interesting thing is how Shakur's character compliments Belushi's. Once the two are no longer functioning as a unit, Belushi is lost in our eyes. The little sympathy we felt for his character is gone. The way that he distances himself from Shakur is one of the few noble things that he does in the film but unfortunately, without his partner to save him, he is beyond help. He is now just a renegade without a purpose and we as an audience know that wherever he is going, he is in for some trouble.

"Gang Related" is not an excellent movie. The story seems to wear thin in some areas but the film's two leads really keep this one above water. James Belushi turns in one of his best perfomances in some time in a role much different from what you're used to seeing from him. Shakur, in somewhat of a low-key performance is absolutely brilliant. Many people criticize rappers for trying to pick up a second paycheck without mastering the acting craft. Shakur is so natural as an actor, you would think it was his first love. It is a shame that Tupac never got an opportunity to be all that he could as far as acting goes. "Related" is not exactly an original concept but it is worth the time spent as it takes you for a nice little ride. On a side note, the Pac-influenced soundtrack of the film also helped give it a more professional feel. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Diamond in the Rough
It cost only 10$. But it's worth 3 times that. I saw this ages ago (just after it came out) and always loved it, so I had to have it for my collection. I dig movies about bumbling thieves too, but these guys aren't the bumbling kind. And besides, the Bank Vault with all that money may motivate the characters in the film, but ultimately it's not about that. Rubén Blades is just so superb in this. His behaviour always provokes fits of laughter. All the actors play off each other so well, whether it's the late Fred Gwynne, Young Guns' Lou Diamond Phillips, or Ed O'Neill from TV's Married With Children. I really can't recommend this more. It doesn't play like the usual caper, because the humour isn't necessarily in great jokes or great physical stunts or the like. The laughs come from the dynamics between the characters - their interaction and communication with one another; it's in how they say things, their facial expressions. Subtleties. And all this from actors who don't earn 20 million per picture. Plus, you know, it cost only 10$!

Loved this movie!
You'll either love it or hate it! I saw it in theaters with a friend years ago and giggled and giggled. The laughs build throughout the movie and I still quote one-liners from it. My poor friend, however, hated it.

Disorganized Crime
I bought this DVD based on the Customer Reviews in Amazon.com. I guess I just don't have the same sense of humor these people have. In all fairness, it has it's moments...although very few and very far between. The price in dollars I can live with. But, this DVD is a total waste of time. By the time it was over, it felt as though it was 3-hours long. If you have nothing better to do, watch it. That's what I did. To me, it wasn't worth it!

One word- HILARIOUS!
This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen! There are so many funny scenes that I can't pick my favorite. I wish more comedies were this good.

Where the deer and the antelope laugh and play
This film was so funny that I couldn't poke the clicker's STOP button to stop watching for a popcorn break. It was a perfectly cast comedy about crooks and cops who invade the Bitterroot, Montana valley to wow you with laughter. The professional crooks can't find their recently jailed ringleader. He escapes custody. Custody is lost by the New Jersey cops who chase the ringleader over the countryside convinced that he is pulling robbery capers actually performed by the crooks. The ringleader eludes the cops but his New Jersey bringing-up doesn't prepare him for the horrors of a night in the critter infested Montana nasty woods and bramble--GROWL GROWL. The leaderless crooks make the choice to pull off a bank-safe burglary and that's where the deer and the antelope began to laugh. I certainly laughed and I've never been to the Bitterroot Valley. DISORGANIZED CRIME is a well-written comedy. I rate it five ***** but it deserves every star in the Montana sky. It is FUNNY. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Diamond in the Rough
It cost only 10$. But it's worth 3 times that. I saw this ages ago (just after it came out) and always loved it, so I had to have it for my collection. I dig movies about bumbling thieves too, but these guys aren't the bumbling kind. And besides, the Bank Vault with all that money may motivate the characters in the film, but ultimately it's not about that. Rubén Blades is just so superb in this. His behaviour always provokes fits of laughter. All the actors play off each other so well, whether it's the late Fred Gwynne, Young Guns' Lou Diamond Phillips, or Ed O'Neill from TV's Married With Children. I really can't recommend this more. It doesn't play like the usual caper, because the humour isn't necessarily in great jokes or great physical stunts or the like. The laughs come from the dynamics between the characters - their interaction and communication with one another; it's in how they say things, their facial expressions. Subtleties. And all this from actors who don't earn 20 million per picture. Plus, you know, it cost only 10$!

Loved this movie!
You'll either love it or hate it! I saw it in theaters with a friend years ago and giggled and giggled. The laughs build throughout the movie and I still quote one-liners from it. My poor friend, however, hated it.

Disorganized Crime
I bought this DVD based on the Customer Reviews in Amazon.com. I guess I just don't have the same sense of humor these people have. In all fairness, it has it's moments...although very few and very far between. The price in dollars I can live with. But, this DVD is a total waste of time. By the time it was over, it felt as though it was 3-hours long. If you have nothing better to do, watch it. That's what I did. To me, it wasn't worth it!

One word- HILARIOUS!
This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen! There are so many funny scenes that I can't pick my favorite. I wish more comedies were this good.

Where the deer and the antelope laugh and play
This film was so funny that I couldn't poke the clicker's STOP button to stop watching for a popcorn break. It was a perfectly cast comedy about crooks and cops who invade the Bitterroot, Montana valley to wow you with laughter. The professional crooks can't find their recently jailed ringleader. He escapes custody. Custody is lost by the New Jersey cops who chase the ringleader over the countryside convinced that he is pulling robbery capers actually performed by the crooks. The ringleader eludes the cops but his New Jersey bringing-up doesn't prepare him for the horrors of a night in the critter infested Montana nasty woods and bramble--GROWL GROWL. The leaderless crooks make the choice to pull off a bank-safe burglary and that's where the deer and the antelope began to laugh. I certainly laughed and I've never been to the Bitterroot Valley. DISORGANIZED CRIME is a well-written comedy. I rate it five ***** but it deserves every star in the Montana sky. It is FUNNY. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Sleeper Hit Of Last Year.
Aight, first let's look at the fact of the cover art, not very exciting,and there wassn't much of any publicitiy for this film either, unlike pulp fiction, or something of that nature,now in my humble opinion, tupac's an amazing actor,I loved gridlock'd , above the rim, juice,bullet. every role he's played, are good, he isn't the best actor in hollywood though,and give james belushi some props, he did an excellent job, and they had excellent chemistry together, until, "Decieving" came into play , this movie, itself, was pure genius, I loved every second of it, tupac makes the movie, entertaining,and dark,and gritty, much like gridlock'd,and belushi, well belushi, will always be a favorite of mine, we'll always miss his brother, so rest in peace, tupac shakur, you are missed,more so then you know, and for you jim belushi, well at least heaven has a great actor, and a great entertainer (Tupac) - Increase the peace. * from Boy'z In the hood* - an incredible, urban film, a masterpiece,and again in my humble opinion, cuba gooding jr's ,most powerfull, personal, intense role, and lets not forget ice cube, thanks for reading my review, I hope it helped you choose this excellent movie, Five Stars. - also, "please" any tupac fans, or just, movie connoisseurs, like myself, "EMAIL ME"

From The Church Of The Saint,

Michael "The Saint" Vincent.

Mix it up
It's Jim Belushi's acting that saves this film, yet his character is too dumb to be credible, as is the premise of the film. He's a vicious corrupt cop who doesn't check anything twice, just shoots and doesn't ask any questions--later or at any time. Yet because of Belushi's strong acting talents, his character is almost believable.

He and his partner, played by a wildly overacting Tupac Shakur, have a nasty profitable scam going: they set up trades with drug dealers, then kill the latter for the drugs which they can sell again. Here's another problem--any money cops use for set ups has to be authorized by higher ups, then accounted for. There's no mention of that in the film; how do they get away with keeping the money? It's also mentioned that they've pulled this 11 times. OK, so after all those times, NOBODY on the force investigates how it is that so many drug dealers have died after a set up put in place by the same two cops over and over? Also not credible.

The two thug cops kill a drug dealer who turns out to be an undercover DEA agent and fellow DEA guy Gary Cole pulls in and starts hassling the precinct for answers. Cole also overacts here; he's a caricature, not a character.

However, as an upscale attorney, James Earl Jones does a fine job, as does Dennis Quaid as a surprising suspect the thug cops have framed for the murder of the DEA agent. Yet the surprise that comes with discovering Quaid's real identity is another plot point that severely strains credibility.

The film seems to be a collection of characters thrown together to flesh out a collection of random, often non-credible, and distinctly unrelated story segments that have not been thought through. Even the ending is disappointing--you can smell it coming a mile away.

In spite of all the above, this is not a bad film because the pacing and momentum are strong enough--along with the acting of Belushi, Jones, and Quaid--to carry it through to its predictable end. Belushi is on screen most of the time and he's a lot of fun to watch. You're thinking no cop can be that dumb, but his acting chops make you feel that if a guy could be this crude and vicious, then, OK, maybe he COULD be that dumb.

A truly mixed bag. Your call.

tupac's best movie
I thought the movie had a good plot to it. What i like about the movie is it keeps me to the edge of my seat and i dont want to pause it to go to the restroom or anything.Its Tupac's best movie, if he was still alive i think he would be one of the best rappers/Actors alive. The only thing i dont really like about the movie the ending. I really think they could of done a better job.

Best Of Tupac and James!!!
This movie is the best from the two best actors. Tupac's official last movie. Super great actor, never again will there be another like Tupac Shakur. James Belushi did a super great acting job, like always.

RIP Tupac Shakur (1971-1996).

GANG RELATED review
James Belushi and rapper Tupac Shakur in his final performance before his death are corrupt detectives who murder an undercover DEA agent and try to pin the murder on someone else. With the help of Belushi's stripper girlfriend, played by Lela Rechon, the two go on a rampage trying to find the perfect suspect to tag the murder to. When the murdered DEA agent's colleagues keep asking questions, the cops feel even more pressured to produce any evidence that distances them from the murder.

Belushi and Shakur make for a good team in an otherwise average crime thriller. Belushi is the more brutal of the two as he goes around kicking and blasting while the more sympathetic Shakur is trying to keep it together and also seems to feel some form of guilt over the crimes that he and his partner have committed. As is often the case in films like this, the deeper the two cops get in trying to cover up their crime, the more their world seems to fall apart. Real criminals that they have arrested are acquitted because they have used the stolen evidence in other cases, some of their phony witnesseses are buckling under pressure, and the man who they try to stick the murder charge to turns out to be more than what they expected. Through it all, Belushi and Shakur have a real chemistry and the audience often finds itself rooting for these guys who are in all honesty, complete jerks.

Many of Shakur's hardcore fans often praise his performance, which is real good, but Belushi is the one carrying the team here. Not to say that Shakur does not give an excellent performance but his role is less-defined so without Belushi, the film doesn't work. He is the one we all love to hate here. A scumbag homicide cop with homicidal tendencies who seems to keep testing his luck in every area. Shakur is more or less the guilty conscience of the duo. The more the story progresses, the worse he seems to feel about what he has done.

The interesting thing is how Shakur's character compliments Belushi's. Once the two are no longer functioning as a unit, Belushi is lost in our eyes. The little sympathy we felt for his character is gone. The way that he distances himself from Shakur is one of the few noble things that he does in the film but unfortunately, without his partner to save him, he is beyond help. He is now just a renegade without a purpose and we as an audience know that wherever he is going, he is in for some trouble.

"Gang Related" is not an excellent movie. The story seems to wear thin in some areas but the film's two leads really keep this one above water. James Belushi turns in one of his best perfomances in some time in a role much different from what you're used to seeing from him. Shakur, in somewhat of a low-key performance is absolutely brilliant. Many people criticize rappers for trying to pick up a second paycheck without mastering the acting craft. Shakur is so natural as an actor, you would think it was his first love. It is a shame that Tupac never got an opportunity to be all that he could as far as acting goes. "Related" is not exactly an original concept but it is worth the time spent as it takes you for a nice little ride. On a side note, the Pac-influenced soundtrack of the film also helped give it a more professional feel. ... Read more