Of all the leading docudramas to be released in movie history, Straight Outta Compton ranks high among them. Beholding the infamous uprising of the rap group N.W.A., the movie takes place in the ‘80s, and centers on a time where gang violence and police brutality were an everyday occurrence on the streets of Compton, California. Directed by F. Gary Gray and produced by founding N.W.A members Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, the movie stars Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E, Corey Hawkins as Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., as Ice Cube. Starting in the mid-1980s, Straight Outta Compton begins with friends Eric “Eazy-E” Wright, O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young getting the idea to express their thoughts and moods through explicit lyrics and heart pounding beats. With the aid of manager Jerry Heller (portrayed by Paul Giamati), a few other rappers and some contracts, the rap group N.W.A becomes official.

While seeing the adaptations of the characters, it becomes apparent that the performances are very accurate. Watching the movie, I almost felt as if I were sent back in time and witnessed the whole thing. The portrayal of the five N.W.A. members are spot-on.

As the movie proceeds, it reaches its climax once the group is split up, and follows the members after they broke up. Ice Cube goes solo and has a booming career in the late 90s, while Dr. Dre and Eazy-E struggle with corporate issues. After so many issues and personality differences with each other, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E go on separate ways. The last scenes of the movie are the most memorable, with much tragedy, yet a silver lining, which blends the movie together perfectly.

Overall, the movie is a hit. A success. With an opening weekend of $60 Million, the movie has had the best opening weekend of any movie of its kind. With spot-on performances from each of the cast, including Jackson’s portrayal of Ice Cube and Mitchell’s Eazy-E, the movie creates a vivid sense of realism and what life was like on the streets of Compton. Even after the group split up, the movie still maintains a strong view of the personal lives of the former N.W.A. members. In conclusion, Straight Outta Compton stands out as a movie, as it is both entertaining and historically accurate. In comparison to movies such as Notorious and 8-Mile, Straight Outta Compton sets a high standard for future docudramas and biopics to be made. With outstanding set designs, accurate depictions, and a plot that works and flows functionally, Straight Outta Compton should be recognized as possibly the best biopic made, and maybe even one of the greatest films ever made.