Watch Boyz n the Hood

The movie centers around Tre Styles (played by Desi Arnez Hines II, then later by Cuba Gooding Jr.), a young African-American boy, growing up in South Central Los Angeles during a time when gang violence, drugs, and police brutality ruled the streets. After having trouble adjusting to life living in Inglewood with his single mother (Angela Bassett), Tre was sent to live with his father, Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburne)in South Central, so that he could have a positive male role model for him to look up to. There, he was also reunited with Ricky and Doughboy, his childhood friends who lived across the street. This is where we begin to see how these young men are affected by life in that environment. While Tre is sheltered by his father, Ricky and Doughboy do not have anyone in their lives to protect them from the allure of the streets.

The movie flashes forward seven years, Tre is now in high school, working at a clothing store, and dating Brandi (Nia Long). Ricky (Morris Chestnut), also in high school, is now a star running back and a father with the hope of receiving a football scholarship to attend USC. Doughboy (Ice Cube), dropped out of school, went to prison, then returned home to resume life as a gang-banger.

As the movie progresses, you'll begin to learn that no matter how hard that these young men try to avoid it, life on the streets of South Central has a way of sucking you back in and never letting you go.

This movie is a gripping testimonial that's about much more than just drugs and violence in the streets. It speaks about family, and even more so about the absence of fathers in the black community. We see through the eyes of Director John Singleton, who allows us to see the perspective of people pitted against cultural bias, blatant racism, and often times--themselves.

The film features a critically acclaimed soundtrack to accompany you along the journey through a lesson-rich, and explosive tale of life during a time where sometimes the only way out of the hood was in a body bag!