Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: A Movie Review Response for the Film "Straight Out...

Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: A Movie Review Response for the Film "Straight Out...: This is a movie review response that was prepared for a class that I am taking  called Mission in the Western World. This class deals with t...

A Movie Review Response for the Film "Straight Outta Compton".

This is a movie review response that was prepared for a class that I am taking  called Mission in the Western World. This class deals with the condition of this world that we live in which is made up of a postmodern cultural mindset.  How can the body of Christ effectively communicate the gospel to those they do not understand or to those who simply do not believe in Christ, God, or the creation of man has recorded in the Holy Bible.
I decided to do my review on the movie "Straight Outta Compton."  I thought that was a very interesting film and here is my take along with some methods in which we may have been able to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to the men in the film.

Movie Review Response

            The following exercise is a movie review response for the film “Straight Outta Compton.”  This response will first identify and describe elements from the movie (scenes, dialogue, situations, or thought processes) that are symptomatic of the “postmodern condition”.  Next, there will be an identification and description of one or two elements (scenes, dialogue, situations, or thought processes) that could present an obstacle for presenting the Gospel.  Finally, there will be an identification and description of one or two elements (scenes, dialogue, situations, or thought processes) that could present an opportunity for presenting the Gospel.  An analysis of what need was expressed and the questions which were foremost will be recorded as well.

Symptomatic Signs of the “Postmodern Condition”

            The movie “Straight Outta Compton” depicts the lives of three young African American males from Compton, California who follow their dreams of making it out of the hood and becoming successful gangster rappers/national recording artists.  Dr. Dre, Easy-E, and Ice Cube formed a group titled NWA, which stands for Niggas With Attitudes.  The very boldness of the name itself sets the tone for a postmodern culture that is full of the right to say and do whatever you feel.  In the opening scene we see Easy-E in the midst of a drug deal gone bad.  He approaches his so called partners at their Compton home with hopes of collecting money, but is confronted with opposition as his drug dealing cohorts refuse to pay him what they owe.  In the scene we hear graphic language as they argue and curse at each other through the failed transaction.  Easy-E refers to a woman who is there as a “B” and we see guns, alcohol, and drugs present.  Finally the police raid the home with a tank like apparatus which busts the door down while violently slamming one of the women into the wall. Easy-E runs and kicks out the bathroom window while the others scramble to hide drugs and exit the best way they can.  The very use of profane language, illegal drugs, and activity depict the postmodern culture that we live in today.  We notice a people so desperate to exist that they must sell illegal drugs and are involved in gangs in order to survive. 

            In scene two we see kids on a school bus throwing up gang signs to a car full of Crips.  The gangsters then pull in front of the bus on a busy street, board it, and begin to scold and threaten the young kids who were making the gang signs.  This is the kind of life that people are living in the streets of America today.  Gang life is void of Christian beliefs, true love, and sanctification.  In fact it is a life that is full of people longing for love and affiliation in the wrong places.  It is a life filled with despair, violence, death, and a need to belong.  The very music that NWA and groups like it promote is said to show what real life is like in the hood and on the urban streets of America. Producers of this brand of music claim that basically they are just a mirror of society.  A whole culture of what is known as hip-hop has been invaded by this brand of hardcore rap music that is filled with braggadocio, misogyny, and the glamorization of drugs and violence. We’ve gone from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to Niggas With Attitudes (NWA). We’ve gone from “Rappers Delight” to “ F the Police”. Every generation seems to push the envelope a little farther. Sadly enough this is the reality of many people in our postmodern culture today. An attitude of tolerance and acceptance is a breeding ground for anti-Christian beliefs and theology.

             In another scene we notice examples of police corruption as Ice Cube and his parents are referred to as “niggers” and called other derogatory terms by members of the LAPD.  Throughout the movie there are instances where the police harass these young African American males for what seems like nothing.  Fear and abuse of power along with racial profiling are also evident in a culture that is lacking faith and righteous consciousness.  On one hand we see a much needed, but corrupt authority, and on the other hand we see an oppressed people who are searching for a way out of their misery.  Unfortunately when the group members actually begin to progress financially and are able to move from the hood to Beverly Hills and beyond they still bring their hood-like attitudes and gangster lifestyle with them. 

Obstacles for Presenting the Gospel

            In one respect you feel for the young men who are fighting to better their economic situation and move from a life of have-nots, but what good is it if their money just allows them to have bigger parties, more drugs and alcohol, mixed with sexual orgies. In the movie there is a very important scene where the group is being told what they can say and not say on stage.  In order to voice their opinion of police brutality they exercised their right to record the song “F the Police.”  This song caused a major uproar throughout the country, but it brought light to the subject of police brutality that our young African Americans are facing every day in this country.  When told not to perform the song at a concert, Ice Cube leads them into it regardless.  A riot seemed to break out as the police tried to stop the music and finally ended up arresting the group. Because of the First Amendment right to freedom of speech it seems that the law could be a hurdle for presenting the Gospel.  An attempt could have been made to tell the group (NWA) not to use foul language, or try to tell your message in a more positive light, or instead of saying “F the Police” can we find a way to somehow get along with the police?  Laws and rights make it hard in a postmodern culture to present the Gospel.  When the government makes things that are immoral legal then people feel that they are well within the law to exercise their rights.  When a downtrodden people believe that money is the answer to all of their problems then it is still difficult to teach them how to behave with respect and dignity.  You can move the boy out of the hood, but you can’t move the hood out of the boy.  People who have lots of money tend to feel that they can do whatever they can afford to do whether it is right or wrong.

A Chance to Present the Gospel

            There are a number of opportunities where we could have presented the gospel to our main characters in this movie.  We could have presented Christ to the young men when they were first forming the record label.  Instead of them leaning towards gangster rap perhaps they could have leaned more towards positive, Inspirational, or Christian rap.  Maybe we could have explained to them that “Life and death is in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21).  There are consequences that we must face with the words that we speak.  Perhaps the gospel could have been introduced to the men when they were jailed for inciting a riot at the concert by performing the song “F The Police.” While they were in bondage and could hear a word spoken from a man or women of God there may have been a chance to get their attention.  One may have said to them “See where your music and expression has gotten you”?  “You are locked up behind bars in a country that is supposed to have free speech.”  “The only freedom is a life with a loving and forgiving God.”  “It is our faith in God and not our money that provides true freedom.”  The word says “Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).  One final opportunity to present the gospel could have been in the scene where Easy-E died from AIDS. In this scene we see one of the members of the group not even able to go into the hospital room to see Easy-E in his present condition.  Perhaps this would have been a great time to offer the salvation of Jesus in the remission of all of their sins.  A Man of God may have said something like this “let not your friend Easy-E’s death be in vain.  Although he fought for a better life free from selling drugs and being involved with gangs, his choices which were fueled by his beliefs and money, led him to sickness and death.”  “God wants more for your life than just an opportunity to get on stage, curse, make lots of money and then party afterwards.”  “God wants your soul to be saved. He loves you and forgives you for all unrighteousness.” “Do you know where you will spend eternity if you are to die today”?  “Easy-E died, but do you know that Jesus Christ died for you so that you could have ever lasting life.” 

Needs and Questions

            The need for our young rappers to express themselves in a world where they felt victimized and oppressed was definite.  There was also a need for our people of authority to see that you cannot profile a whole generation simply by the color of their skin and where they are from.  Also, young artists need to know that there is a responsibility when getting on the microphone in front of people, and you will be held accountable for your words and actions.  Finally, the only true freedom in this world comes from a loving God, and through the blood of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Christ and his word is the one that should be spread throughout the world, and not that which seeks the gain of money, and fame. The most foremost questions are 1) what God do you serve? 2) Do you serve God or mammon? 3) What profit is there to gain the whole world and lose your soul?

            In conclusion a movie review response was conducted which identified many elements, situations, and thought processes that are symptomatic of the “postmodern condition.”  An identification of an element or two which could provide an obstacle to presenting the Gospel, as well as an element or two which could provide an opportunity to present the Gospel was provided, along with an analysis of needs that were expressed and the foremost questions which might be asked.

Please provide your feedback. I'd like to hear your comments on what you think about the paper, the movie, and your thoughts on our post modern society as a whole.

Thank you.

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