8 Mile (2002)
If you only get one shot, one opportunity; would you capture it - or just let it slip?
Starring: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Evan Jones, Omar Benson Miller
Director: Curtis Hanson
Running Time: 106 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Drama
On DVD Eminem stars as B-Rabbit, an aspiring rapper from the wrong side of Detroit's 8 Mile, whose ambition is to secure a recording deal. B-Rabbit has many problems to deal with. He dumps his girlfriend when she tells him she's pregnant, and moves back into the trailer where his alcoholic mother lives with her rather unpleasant boyfriend. He takes a dead-end job, trying to save enough money to make a demo tape, but the rapping isn't going well - he chokes in a local rap battle, making himself easy prey for the other rappers.
His life starts to look up when he meets an aspiring model called Alex (Brittany Murphy), who takes an interest in him. Then his shifty friend Wink (Eugene Byrd) tells him that he can arrange to cut a demo for free - but Wink has made boasts before and they haven't always been true. However, the upturn could never last - he catches Alex being unfaithful with Wink, then he gets into a titanic battle with his mother's boyfriend and is thrown out. Tensions even start to arise within his close group of friends. More isolated than ever, he is severely beaten up by some of his rap rivals. His only goal now is to win the next rap battle and chase his future, but it will not be easy after his previous failure.
This film in many ways contains nothing new. It is the well-worn story of a kid from the wrong side of the tracks trying to make good. The success of "8 Mile" however is less in its originality and more in its execution. The story is tightly woven and the characters are given many layers of depth, especially that of B-Rabbit. The film features Eminem in his first major screen role, and a fine job he makes of it too - this is no pop star vehicle but a gritty urban drama of some merit. The quality of the rap stands out, even to the uneducated ear, and those who have no knowledge of the rap scene will find that by the end they have gained an understanding of why rappers are so driven by what they do and why rap is so important to them. If this movie has a failing, it is that it doesn't always explore the more dangerous areas of the genre - racism, violence, social class and so on. However, overall it is an inspiring movie without too many delusions of grandeur.
Also features a cameo appearance from acclaimed rapper Xzibit.
DVD Extras: The freestyle battles are fascinating.
Extras: Making of, Detroit MCs vs. Eminem freestyle battles, Music of 8 Mile, Theatrical trailer.
Music Video: "Superman" by Eminem.
DVD-ROM Extras: Total Axess
It's Got: Rap battles that will grip even those unfamiliar with the music style.
It Needs: To get out of the "safe zone" and push the envelope a little.
Alternatives: The Wash, Boyz N the Hood, Menace II Society.
Summary: Fine tension-filled coming-of-age drama with Eminem turning in a commendable performance in his first major role. This film will even appeal to many who have no knowledge of or interest in the rap lifestyle.
Review by Andrea Chee
Review Date: 6th July 2003
External Links
Official Web Site
8 Mile at the IMDB
Comments10 Comments |
| HAVE YOU EVEN WATCHED THE MOVIE FIRST OFALL ALEX ISNT A MODEL SHE WANTS TO GOT TO NEW YORK TO HAVE HER BOOK PUBLISHED AND 2RABBIT" EMINEM HAS A BIG FIGHT WITH HIS MOTHER And get sthrown out. i dod not bother to read the resat of the review so ther are probably more mistakes in there but next time you revie a movie send someone who actually went to see the movie, and not someone who must have been blind drunk or who speaks another lauguage. please do better next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- Miss Kelly | | 15 March 2004 | ip: logged |
| 8 mile is heavy and at the end eminem raps and rips |
| Comment by:- ricky | www.h2k@hip-hop.http.com... | 01 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| u are all nobs |
| Comment by:- ricky | www.h2k.http | 01 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| who the fcuk says nobs |
| Comment by:- unknown | | 27 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| no were not all nobs! ass wipe! |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 12 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| I must say this is a scintillating conversation. |
| Comment by:- First of the Gang to Die | | 12 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| Comment by:- Lissa Walker | | 25 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| The movie was good and sexy. Eminem looks so good |
| Comment by:- Lissa Walker | | 25 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| GAY GAY GAY...EMinem is a white boy...Enough SAID! |
| Comment by:- gManLA | | 04 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| Miss Kelly, did YOU whatch the movie? She IS a model, trying to get her MODELING book published you retard. And second of all, a review doesn't have to tell the complete story of the movie, so if she left out the fight with his mother, which I don't think is a very important part of the movie anyways, it doesn't mean she didn't know of it. Stupid people who complain about other people is probably the worst kind of human beings there are. I hate you more than I hate terrorists. Learn how to spell and use dots and commas properly, then stop WRITING EVERYTHING LIKE THISSSSSS CUZZ IT ONLY MAKES YOU LOOK MORE STUPID THEN YOU ALLREADY AREEREEREREREA!!!#"#"!#e |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 19 September 2005 | ip: logged |
