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EUR DVD (Get Rich or Die Tryin') REVIEW: 50 Cent Dies for Our Sins in Disappointing DVD

By Kam Williams

(March 31, 2006)

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*Who knows, 50 Cent may very well be the Second Coming of Christ, as suggested by the pose he adopted on billboards for his unapologetically gruesome acting debut. The ad features 50, arms extended in a pose similar to that of Jesus on the cross, except that the gangsta’ rapper is holding a gun in one hand, a microphone in the other.

Sadly, the message delivered by Get Rich or Die Tryin' isn’t any deeper than that, as this picture is a rather remorseless gangsta flick filled with all the stereotypical staples of that ghetto fabulous genre. Supposedly based on Mr. Cent’s autobiography, it chronicles the native New Yorker’s overcoming his mom’s murder via the familiar drug dealer-turned-rapper route bragged about in just about every mobster’s music video. Though this emotionally dishonest movie makes much of his being shot nine times, it never examines any of the fallout of his chosen lifestyle in depth.

The dialogue is disgusting and strictly street, such as when his love interest, Charlene (Joy Bryant) is referred to as a “Stuck up [b-word].”

When not promoting misogyny, Get Rich turns its attention to ethnic intolerance via a profusion of Latino and black slurs.

The rationale for all the mayhem rests on fortune cookie philosophy such as, “Show no love. Love will get you killed,” and is invariably expressed by shallow, soulless characters in monotones. Surprisingly, this irresponsible, over-extended vanity vehicle was directed by Jim Sheridan who ought to know better than to foist insulting trash like this on the public.

The six-time, Oscar-nominee didn’t even bother to try to keep his locations real by shooting the bulk of the film on Canadian sites which bear no resemblance to The Big Apple.

All in the name of the father, the son and the holy gangsta!

Poor (0 stars)

Rated R for full frontal male nudity, topless female nudity, gratuitous violence, pervasive profanity, incessant ethnic slurs, graphic sexuality, and the promotion of drug use.

Running time: 134 minutes

Studi Paramount home Entertainment

DVD Extras: Theatrical trailer, “The Making of” featurette, and another entitled “A Portrait of an Artist.”

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50 Cent in 'Get rich or Die Tryin''