September 2002 Snipes : Some Real Rap Drama Foe Ya!

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Reviewed by Phyllis Lewis Snipes Cast: Nelly, Sam Jones III, Schooly D, Frank Vincent Charli Baltimore, Zoe Saldana, Dean Winters, Johnnie Hobbs, Jr., Victor Togunde, Carlo Alban, Mpho Koaho, Joel Garland, J.D. Williams and Rashaan Nall Director: Rich Murray Co-Writers: Rich Murray, Rob Wiser Producer: Chris Schwartz Snipes is an interesting hip-hop flick looped with action and creative melodies of comedy. This film is a jolting reality check for the ignorant and a sign of identity and understandingfor those who live daily with passion, challenging economical situations and the heart of hip hop. The intriguing hip hop and pop rapper Nelly debuts on the silver screen as Prolifik, a new rap buster on the scene, in an ironic mirroring way of his real life situation. In order to preserve your imagination before seeing this film, I will keep this review very short. But lets touch on a few of the key elements that will probably make you want to give this film a shot. Since the film is comedic and serious all in the same breath, I’m gonna write some jokes right in the middle of this treatise. When you see the film, you are not seeing an episode of “OZ,” and HBO did not produce it. With so many “Oz” characters in this film, you might get confused. Second, as I know this is on everyone’s mind, yes, Nelly does do o.k. The goal of any rapper trying to act is that they do not embarrass themselves. But seeing as though Nelly was playing arapper, it wasn’t a stretch. I do not suggestthat he auditions for any roles requiring him to play a complex character devoid of emotional accountability. Rappin for dough is one way he can stay No.1 but acting for dough….hmmm. And whatever you do, don’t ask Sam Jackson for his opinion. He might change your mind. When you see the film, suspend all disbelief. Its’ important. This film contains situations dutifully worthy of an Abbott and Costello routine while at the same time trying be all Tony Soprano like. You be the judge. When you see this film, you will learn some things like how to handle some serious NYC gangster types with a limited budget. Like the Nappy Roots song, “Ballin on A Budget,” these characters do what they can with what they have. But hey, that’s how rap got started right? Overall, “Snipes” does hold its own as an entertaining effort by the filmmakers. Many big-budget films featuring rappers or holding to the hip-hop genre have fallen far short of this film. In their effort to create a film that offered some different flava and flair, the filmmakers fell a little short, but hey, you be the judge. Bottom line is it worth price of admission? Well, you paid $12.99 for Nelly’s CD didn’t you? So give up some of that pocket change and roll on over to your local Cineplex and check it out. You might be surprised.