The summer’s most buzzed about movie, Straight Outta Compton,  finally hits theaters today! The Heart of Cool team got the opportunity to attend the film’s premiere on Monday and left totally inspired by the story of N.W.A..

Produced by original members of N.W.A., Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, Straight Outta Compton stars O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins and Jason Mitchell as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E, and is directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday, Set It Off, The Italian Job). The film began with scenes set in the heart of Compton’s drug and gang infested environment, solidifying the fact that Compton, California wasn’t Pleasantville, USA. You immediately see that N.W.A. was formed in America’s underbelly which was apparently a  recipe for success.

After seeing where each member came from, you want to see everyone succeed and the film takes you through a journey of emotions. There’s so much excitement when you hear Eazy-E’s classic opening line, “cruising down the street in my 6-4”,  anger when you witness the police brutality that still persists today,  and sadness when you see the demise of the group and then Eazy’s fatal battle with A.I.D.S.

Script and storyline aside, the casting was impeccable. It’s without saying that O’Shea Jackson Jr. is a spitting image of his famous father, Ice Cube. In some scenes you completely forget that it’s not actually Cube on the screen.  It should also be noted that both  Corey Hawkins and Jason Mitchell made for very convincing Dr. Dre and Eazy-E characters.

The film was extremely well made and left you wanting to turn on your N.W.A./ West Coast Hip Hop Pandora station. It is definitely a must see – check it out in theaters TODAY!

– Yasmine