Only slight spoilers - nothing to detract from viewing the film. I'm not even looking at the other reviews yet. Next time I catch this film, I'll probably give it 10 out of 10: I'm only giving it 9 because it was quite sophisticated, and at times - difficult for me to follow.It tells the story of 3 African American teenagers, they are "nerds", very not-tough, trying to survive through high school in a very violent predominantly black neighborhood and get accepted to college. What struck me at first was the intense black-upon-black violence in this neighborhood - but this is only the backdrop to this movie, and I'd have tuned out if it hadn't evolved.The lead character finds that following a gang shooting he's had heroin and a gun dropped into his schoolbag (which he discovers while going through the school metal detector, ho ho!). These 3 teens have to practically run for their lives, And the main character (who knows NOTHING about drug dealing) has to concoct a plan to sell the stash for a profit.Also, I liked that this was nearly an all black cast film: and a really good one.Bizarre stuff - was worth my time.

Before jumping on the bandwagon of criticism, let me elaborate the first half hour of the movie. Started indifferent, but due to the use of 90's hip-hop, indie music and the aim to be 'not your typical hood movie' I began to grow an interest. Oh boy oh boy, I was in for a tough ride.The cast was decent, but needed something stronger. The character that hold my attention was Diggy (played by Kiersey Clemons) as a gay female growing up in the suburbs. Nevertheless, she didn't play an important role in the movie. Let me first talk about the main character, Malcolm (Shameik Moore). From all the actors one could choose, why him? He portrays characters so dull and it seems that his life has been sucked down the drain, just like Netflix's The Get Down. Don't get me wrong, the first season of the Get Down was a fun ride, but not thanks to of mister Shoalin Fantastic. His method of acting is, against my liking, amateurish. He comes of as an "actor" that has been plucked from the streets to star in a movie. He lacks a certain charisma for the big screen. This already puts his character, Malcolm, in a bad spot. A totally unbelievable movie with the wrong cast. The side-characters are fun, to a certain degree, but it needed a heavy weight.The main story sounds fun on paper, but is in fact poorly executed. It felt cringe worthy most of the time. Especially filling all the gaps in between dialogue with music. Every scene it starts off with a 'hip, cool, trendy' tune. It reminds me a lot of Tangerine (2015). However, this movie used music as a certain emotion that needed to be explained. Dope just used music, because... hey why not? Dope needed something better than the typical A-class student that needs to make a short- or long-term decision. The ending is totally obvious from the start of the movie. The dialogue was off as well. Let me package and summarise my point of critique with one question. Molly/MDMA/XTC gives you the best sex ever? I don't want to be vulgar, but everyone that ever used these substances knows sex isn't or at least barely doable when this chemical is surging throughout your body. However, all critique given, it was a meh film. I was able to sit through the entire movie. Do I recommend this movie? Not really, even though I know a lot of people that like the goal the movie is aiming for, but it just doesn't prove it.

"Dope" is alright but it could have been better. Because I grew up in a time when Hip Hop was really Hip Hop I was very interested in seeing what this film had to offer since it is a film about an inner city youth who emulates the styles of 80's and 90's Hip Hop and who tries to survive the gangs and drugs of the hoods of Los Angeles. In fact after seeing the trailer I was kind of excited and itching to see this film but when I finally saw it my expectations fell a little short, not so short to where I didn't enjoy the film just short enough for me to knock one star off of its rating. The premise and the story-line are good but a bit simple but I do like the message the films gives about making the right choices in life. The performances in this film are OK they're not anything Oscar worthy. As for the comedic side of this film, there were some funny parts but there were a lot of parts that were meant to be funny but in my opinion they were not funny. I see this a lot in some "hood" comedies. Of course with the drama it was the usual geek likes girl, geek gets girl at the end kind of film. But I'm not complaining. If the writers of this film had tried a little harder I think this film would have been a little bit better, not saying that they did a bad job because they didn't. Like I said before, it's not as good as I thought it would be but it's not bad at all.

Very Nice Movie. Loved It from the beginning to the end, though some scenes proved to be kind of racist. Still loved it. Am white. And this happens to be a very great movie. Try watching it. In fact Don't try. Must Watch it. Great movie. Teaches You a lot and that you shouldn't give up on yourself. Nice Movie. Great Story.. Nice Acting You Learn a lot Watched it during my vacation in Lagos, They loved it so much. Good Ratings for this movie. It really did picture a lot. Also a good movie for Drummers. I have to say it is by Far the best movie i enjoyed during my vacation in Lagos. It not only keeps you really interested, l.t makes you feel connected.