Tupac Shakur's life supposedly ended in September of 1996 and fans have been investigating the evidence ever since. The people are divided in debating whether or not the rapper/actor is still alive: some are willing to accept the current facts that the star is no longer with us, while others are so intrigued by the references to today's culture in his music that they have no definite answer as to where he is. The one thing that I'm sure they will all agree on, however, is that he was never really given the chance to develop his promising talents as an actor.
Gang Related is Tupac's last ever film (but don't quote me on that just yet). Although his performance as the crooked cop with a conscience here is nothing particularly explosive, it is enough to make you realise that he had [/has] a lot of potential as an actor, and the opportunity to see more of him on the big screen definitely wouldn't go amiss.
But rather than just focusing on 'Pac's talent, it's worth noting that Gang Related is a clever, well-written and entertaining movie about police corruption that stands out from the clutter of its "urban-action" pigeon hole.
At times, the film feels like a courtroom drama, but it's never quite as boring as the title suggests (not that I find courtroom dramas boring, it's just some people do). Gang Related is ambitious as it mixes tension, action and even black comedy, and it never really feels as if there's a dull moment. The only real let-down is the anticlimactic ending.
Plot wise, Shakur and Belushi play partners who routinely sell drugs, which they have stolen from the police lock-up, to known dealers on the streets. Once the product has been sold, they then track down the buyer and kill them; thus, retaining the evidence and making a nice little profit for themselves on the side.
Unfortunately for them, their scheme backfires when they end up killing an undercover DEA agent. They attempt to cover up their tracks by framing a homeless man named Joe (Dennis Quaid), but end up making matters a lot worse for themselves.
Perhaps, the biggest surprise of the film is Belushi. While many critics have been known to criticise his range as an actor, he is particularly effective here as the cynical, relentless corrupt officer, who takes advantage of Shakur's character's vulnerability, bullying him into framing innocent civilians for their mess ups. It's a solid performance, overall, and one which will hopefully gain him some respect for his long-standing career as an actor.
Gang Related's supporting cast is also strong: Dennis Quaid stars as the innocent, drunken tramp accused of murder; David Paymer as the defending lawyer; Lela Rochon as the beautiful dancer harassed by the cops; Wendy Crewson and James Earl Jones as the incredulous prosecutors.
Whether Tupac is alive or not, it needn't matter here. Stellar performances and a smart script make Gang Related a compelling movie in its own right, so don't be put off by the "death-for-ratings" marketing ploy. Tupac is impressive, yes, but the film is credible for more than that.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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