Brooklyn's Finest

"Who shot ya? Mob ties like Sinatra, Peruvians tried to do me in, I ain't paid them yet, Tryin to push 700's, they ain't made them yet, Rolex and bracelets is frostbit; rings too"

-Brooklyn's Finest (Notorious B.I.G and Jay-Z)

This is a movie that I had been pretty excited about ever since I saw the trailer. It made me think could this be the new New Jack City?

You can't help but witness the familiar staples of the tough streets and housing projects as they are put on full display: murder, drugs, prostitution, white slavery, theft, police corruption and killings in the name of law and order. Brooklyn's Finest demonstrates overcoming personal demons, life skills, personal triumph and much more. You feel their pain and they take on each new day. It's truly survival of the fittest...eat or be eaten!

After watching the movie one will realize the movie relies heavily on perpetuating all kinds of stereotypes to move the story and pretty much suggests a level of corruption that if plausible would render our society fatal. However the story does works, primarily due to the fast paced action and superb acting. All in all it seems to manage being able to keep the audience's attention. One is kept wondering how the various subplots will work themselves out and who will survive the war in the end.

The true stars of this film are what I like to call a Triple Threat (Gere, Cheadle, and Hawke). They truly bring life to the film, you can't help but focus on each of their stories. In addition, the supporting cast helps to balance the darkness that is exhibited throughout the movie. And to top it off the camera work is gritty , extensive and realistic and the supporting cast members are tops in this well-made and interesting drama.

I will admit I was not to keen on the ending, but I have come to realize that maybe this is Fuqua's style for movies such as this (hence Training Day). In addition, even though the end may not be want we want, but it is actually reality and that gives it an authenticity different many other films.

Grade: A-

Brooklyn's Finest vs. New Jack City vs. Deep Cover

Now the question was brought to my attention whether Antoine Fuqua's newest flick Brooklyn's Finest will be able to be a success. Some see this as a modern day mix of New Jack City and Deep Cover all in one. As I pondered this question I realized that both of the prior films came out in 1991 and 1992, so as we fast forward to 2010 I think its only appropriate that we get a little remix.

With Deep Cover, you have a story of a cop (Laurence Fishburne) who has been working all his life to expunge the memory and life of his dope-addict father. But then at the same time he gets tangled up in the drug trade game, that he may never get loose. And with New Jack City, the highlight of this movie is a rising drug-dealer and crime lord who is pretty much on everybody's hitlist, especially to one particular detective. The slight difference is the emotion that is involved from each of its main characters. Now we get to Brooklyn's Finest, with this film we get a chance to see three different, yet similar stories that really all tie into one. In essence, this film takes a little bit of each film hoping to make it bigger and better!!

In the course of one chaotic week, the lives of three conflicted New York City police officers are dramatically transformed by their involvement in a massive drug operation in Brooklyn's Finest. The film captures the volatile and deadly world of one of New York's most dangerous precints through the eyes of the men and women pledged to protect and serve, as they face the wrenching choices that make them Brooklyn's Finest.



One is on pins and needles seeing how this movie is going to play out!! Plus the more and more I I think about it, I remember Fuqua's film Training Day, and I can't help but think that ... damn that was a good movie!!

We shall see...