NOTORIOUS Review

Biggie biggie biggie can’t you see,.. your movie just hypnotized your fans. NOTORIOUS is not only a movie for the eastcoast, not only for the westcoast either, it’s for those who see music as a getaway from everyday’s troubles of life. It’s a fitting tribute to… one of the biggest artists with all of his shortcomings. The movie that may not be for younger viewers to see but it definitely has heart. NOTORIOUS doesn’t just glorifies the memory of late Biggie Small but also it chronicles any nobody who wants to become somebody and got nothing but his dreams to rely on.

“Notorious” is about the life of rapper Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. In just a few short years, The Notorious B.I.G. rose from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. B.I.G. was a gifted storyteller; his narratives about violent life on the streets were told with a gritty, objective realism that won him enormous respect and credibility. His stories were universal and gave a voice to his generation.
The film stars multiple award winner Angela Bassett as Christopher’s mother Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke as Sean Combs, Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur and introducing Jamal Woolard as The Notorious B.I.G.

Rap music has seen its legends and its transformation in the 80s and 90s and the battles in between. NOTORIOUS includes some of Biggie’s classic hits and rhymes, those of us who grew up listening to the radio in that decade will feel a bit nostalgic. This is probably the best movie of this genre since 8 Mile. I like how the timeline in this movie is so fast paced but doesn’t neglect the drama and the characters involved. Nothing about the story that will get you bored. His struggle, his affairs, his hustling days and his rise to fame, his friend who took the fall, every aspect motivated Biggie to be the man he came to be.

Enjoyable script by Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker and the story’s transition is well structured. From a smart boy who wants to fit in and be cool, which leads him to dealing drugs. And then you have the rapping and the dealing at the same time.. until sh*t hits the fan that makes him want to rap only and nothing else. All he’s ever wanted was that limelight, that money, the girls and the gold chains and then the story transitions itself to the war, the loss of a friend turned enemy, and the story seems to prepare Biggie for the worst, it shows him re-connecting with his children and his mother, praying, calling people as if to say his last goodbyes, he goes to L.A. and it makes him seem like a martyr trying to end that war.

We may never know how accurate it really is or how much it has been fabricated but as a biopic movie, I think NOTORIOUS is surprisingly heartfelt and powerful in the most gritty and raw kind of way. It contains some of the most memorable and oddly philosophical profound sayings that stick with you after the whole thing’s done. That theme question of whether he’s a good man trying to be bad or a bad man trying to be good lingers throughout the entire movie. Excellent direction by George Tillman Jr. whose last movie he helmed was Men of Honor. Seems like Real life-based story is his forte. In NOTORIOUS Tillman Jr. uses element of surprise that eventhough some audience might already know what would happen, since they’re big Biggie fans and all, Tillman’s direction gives that haunting mood that sneaks up from around the corner.

Outstanding job by newcomer Jamal Woolard who plays the icon, Christopher “Biggie” Wallace. It’s obvious to see that as far as acting goes, Woolard has been trained well. Fantastic performances as well from all the other actors involved. Nobody can doubt the strength and commanding presence of Angela Bassett and eventhough Derek Luke’s impersonation of P.Diddy and Athony Mackie’s portrayal of Tupac may come off a bit comical at times, it’s only because they do their best to get it down to the T
And I gotta give respect to the ladies, Antonique Smith as Faith Evans and Naturi Naughton as Lil Kim. Great cast overall.

* Place the cursor on the image below to check my grade for this film