IMDb > Menace II Society (1993)
Menace II Society
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Menace II Society (1993) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 6 NEW)
Menace II Society (1993) -- A young hustler on the street searches for a way out of the temptations of the ghetto
Menace II Society (1993) -- A young street hustler attempts to escape the rigors and temptations of the ghetto in a quest for a better life.
Menace II Society (1993) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)
Menace II Society (1993) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Menace II Society (1993) -- Moviesbox.us - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   13,431 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Allen Hughes (story) &
Albert Hughes (story) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Menace II Society on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 May 1993 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama more
Tagline:
This is the truth. This is what's real.
Plot:
A young street hustler attempts to escape the rigors and temptations of the ghetto in a quest for a better life. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
2 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(20 articles)
Movie Review: Dark House (2009)
 (From HorrorYearbook. 8 October 2009, 5:04 AM, PDT)

Denzel Washington's Intense Book of Eli Trailer
 (From Worst Previews. 25 September 2009, 7:00 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Menacingly Powerful, and Gritty Urban Drama more (84 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Tyrin Turner ... Caine

Larenz Tate ... O-Dog
June Kyoto Lu ... Grocery Store Woman (as June Kyoko Lu)

Toshi Toda ... Grocery Store Man

Samuel L. Jackson ... Tat Lawson
Anthony Johnson ... Tony
Brandon Hammond ... Five Year Old Caine

Glenn Plummer ... Pernell

Reginald Ballard ... Clyde

Khandi Alexander ... Karen Lawson
Eugene Lee ... Man #1
James Pickens Jr. ... Man #2 (as James Pickins Jr.)

Nancy Cheryll Davis ... Teacher (as Nancy Cheryl Davis)
Jullian Roy Doster ... Anthony

Jada Pinkett Smith ... Ronnie (as Jada Pinkett)
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, drug use and language.; Rated R for strong bloody violence, drug use and pervasive language. (director's cut)
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (FotoKem)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Tupac Shakur was originally attached to play Sharif, but was fired after a physical fight with director Allen Hughes. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Reflected in the security mirror as O-Dog drags the lady into the back room. more
Quotes:
Caine: My father sold dope and my mother was a heroin addict. Moms and Pops were real popular in the neighborhood. They would always be giving parties for friends of theirs who just got out of jail or was on their way to jail. They only got married 'cause I was born... more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Malibu's Most Wanted (2003) more
Soundtrack:
DEATH BECOMES YOU more

FAQ

Is the us r-rated version uncut? Which version is uncut?
more
10 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
Menacingly Powerful, and Gritty Urban Drama, 16 September 2005
9/10
Author: FrankBooth_DeLarge from someplace

Menace II Society is much more than your typical hood movie. It tells the story of young Caine Lawson, a teen growing up in Watts, California.

The opening briefly shows Caine getting caught up in a grocery store shooting with his friend. This was a chilling way to open the movie, as it shows how easy it is for someone in the ghetto to get caught up in the moment and kill someone. During the opening credits, we see footage of the Watts riots that took place during the 60's. Caine narrates the story of his life, explaining how after the riots, drugs came into effect, and affected his home life as a child. After loosing his parents on at the hands of drugs, he was sent to live with his Grandparents. His Grandparents love him, but they struggled to raise him and tried their hardest to keep him out of trouble.

Not too long into the movie, after we learn about Caine's early life, we see him graduate from High School. He hopes to leave the life of violence that surrounds him in his neighborhood. After falling victim to a violent car jacking, he is brought into violence and crime himself. As the story progresses, and things spiral downward for Caine, he ends up in a hell of a jam and tries to make a way out of it all.

This is an incredible movie. It perfectly balances the ugly crime life and murder of tough inner city neighborhoods, Caine's own personal troubles, police brutality, and drugs.

This is a powerful movie with a great story. It has a good message, but in some ways, I thought the film Boyz N the Hood showed the message in a better way. Menace II Society is more focused on the crime involved in inner cities, where as Boyz N the Hood focuses more on the family life of the characters.

This is an excellent film that you should see if you ever get the chance. It has a good message, and it has some very moving moments in it.

If you enjoyed this, I also recommend Boyz N the Hood, and you'll probably enjoy the Wayans brothers' spoof, Don't be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.

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Message Boards

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
does any one punisher-98
Movies like this make other races scared marcusmitchell
break yoself fool turnitaround22-1
is it just me or is GTA San Andreas pretty much based off of this movie? andrewhhh
Every scene is obscene peace_4_y_all
Best line? grin-4
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