Boyz N The Hood 1991

Janet Maslin, New York Times: In this setting, the actors could easily disappear into speeches or stereotypes, but they don't; the film's strength is that it sustains an intimate and realistic tone. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: Shows some genuine talent in handling character and action, and equal amounts of confusion and attitude when it comes to matters of gender and ghetto politics. Read more

Entertainment Weekly: Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Boyz N the Hood has maturity and emotional depth: There are no cheap shots, nothing is thrown in for effect, realism is placed ahead of easy dramatic payoffs, and the audience grows deeply involved. Read more

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine: Even in its warmest moments, there is a fearful chill in this hood's air. And on the hearts of its boyz. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: What makes the film so affecting is the no-nonsense direction and Singleton's sure, specific sense of the rewards and hardships of community; in this, he is lent excellent support from a fine cast. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: An absorbing, smartly made dramatic encyclopedia of problems and ethics in the black community, 1991. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Ingleton adroitly lets the emotions wash over the didacticism, his feet placed squarely on direct experience and timeliness. Read more

Rita Kempley, Washington Post: Boyz N the Hood is a rude, insistent rap, an unflinching, often funny, always compassionate look at coming of age in South Central Los Angeles. Read more