★ 4 / 10
I was hoping for more. I thought it
A-Dubya
I was hoping for more. I thought it would delve further into her battles in the hip-hop world, and include more than just brief cameos of rap legends and icons…
I was hoping for more. I thought it would delve further into her battles in the hip-hop world, and include more than just brief cameos of rap legends and icons (Biz Markie, MC Shan, Marley Marl, and a young NaS), but instead it turned into just a pseudo-bio/male-bashing escapade. I enjoyed some parts about it, primarily the focus on her rap career, Roxanne's Revenge, and how she came up in the game, but a lot of the time, it felt like this film was something it wasn't advertised as.
Being a huge hip hop fan, mainly of the 80's and 90's, I was excited when i saw a biopic on Roxanne Shante. I'm a huge fan of NY hip hop from this era. I was disappointed when most of the film focused on her family struggles, and poor relationships (I would even say decisions too) with men. I knew there would be a backstory about her upbringing, but instead of really talking about the hip hop pioneer that she was, and maybe battles with KRS and others, it was like a 45 minute man-bashing flick veiled as a doc about a hip hop legend. Almost every male character is basically portrayed as abusive, manipulative, violent, or a sexual predator. The few males that somewhat have redeemable qualities are pushed aside, not to be focused on. This trope is one that seems to be the norm far too often in films of the last few years. It is very annoying to me, and reeks of disillusion. Every male is not a creep, just as every female is not a saint in the real world. Even the last excerpt at the end of the film before the credits was so out of place, and didn't seem to fit anything other than an agenda to bash males for "not handling their responsibilities, and bringing women flowers". What this has to do with hip hop culture, or anything relevant, for that matter, is beyond me.
It could have been so much better, if it legitimately was about the career of Roxanne Shante, and her rise as a hip hop icon in the 80's. 2 door knocker ear rings out of 5.
Read full review
★ 6 / 10
Was the music not cleared?
ROCKAFELLA71
I grew up near New York during the time of Roxanne's career. Shante was known for battling and, although not the first female MC, was the first I can remember…
I grew up near New York during the time of Roxanne's career. Shante was known for battling and, although not the first female MC, was the first I can remember doing a response record on wax that became popular. There were some good actors in the film and of course the person playing Shante and my future one day in my dreams baby mama Nia Long were great. Having said that, Shante to me was never a superstar such as an MC Lyte or Queen Latifah but that was more so because Shante was out earlier than those MCs and the state of rap was different during her reign for females. Having said all that, after watching this film with this abrupt ending I felt like something was missing. I thought her struggles with her mother, relationship, and Marley Marl were noted, but again something from this film was missing. Sure they showed other rappers at the time i.e. MC Shan, Biz Markie, Sparky D (always thought her delivery was better than Shante's), etc but something was missing. When the abrupt ending took place and she was in the projects with her mother listening to the Legendary Nas rap as a child and then it went off I felt that I missed something. I went to bed that night closed my eyes and then it hit me. The music. If you watch Notorious, Walk the Line, Straight Outta Compton, New Edition, The Doors, The Temptation, Ray Charles, the one thing that stayed constant to making those good movies is the director did not only show case skills but also had music in those movies created by the artist the biopic was about and/or music from other artists at the time. This movie basically played one song...Roxanne's Revenge. They didn't even play the original song Roxanne Roxanne of which prompted Marley to ask her to make the response record. Where was all the other music from that time to help with the atmosphere of the movie? Even when she went to do a different song live, it was done to Beat Box so no music had to be played. So my question is did they not get clearance from Warner Bros. or whoever was distributing their music at the time? In spite of that they did a decent movie without music from the artist. Lastly, at the end of the movie she talks about her album coming out. They did not even discuss the album she was going to come out with which I assume had the songs "Have a Nice Day" and my personal favorite "Go On Girl". The story was ok, was more nostalgic for me remembering those times but not something I would rush to see again.
Read full review
68%
TOMATOMETER
· 28 reviews
62%
AUDIENCE
· 100 ratings
6.2/10
4K
•••
1080p. Please