Thicker Than Water
Picture: C- Sound: B- Extras: C+ Film: D
For those who thought that
Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film Casino offered the most amount of times the
‘F’ word was used, you have not seen 1999’s Thicker Than Water. The difference however is that unlike Casino’s
solid script, Thicker That Water essentially has no script once you
eliminate the ‘F’ word along with other unnecessary profanities.
Get out your gats, but sit
back and relax as Thicker Than Water takes you into the Gangsta world of
L.A. Two rival gangs are involved in
the music industry, both of which are being backed by the same source. This causes a peace between the gangs, but
that last only temporary as backstabbing begins it isn’t long before a
full-blown shooting spree begins between the gangs. Gangbangin’ is something that is often heard on the news, but
rarely ever realized from those that live outside of the ‘hood’. Thicker Than Water attempts to make
this climate more realistic for those that are not subject to such
conditions. Where the film fails on
many levels is by becoming too much like a soap opera with some action here and
there to bring it to life. Insert some
rappers turned actors (Ice Cube, Mack 10, and Fat Joe) and we have ourselves a
music video that has suddenly come to life and lasts 90 minutes.
This film never comes
close to creating the tension as in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing
(1989) nor does it have the shock value of John Singleton’s 1991 Boyz N the
Hood and 1993’s Menace II Society.
All three of those films incorporate a gang-like structure from which
violence and revenge stem. Boundaries
are set up between both, but Thicker Than Water cannot make up its mind
if it wants to be more of a comedy like the Friday series or if it wants
to remain true to its dramatic roots.
Palm Pictures has done us
the favor of issuing Thicker Than Water onto DVD in a relatively average
edition. The biggest drawback from this
DVD is the 1.33 X 1 pan & scan picture, which shortcuts the weak
cinematography even more. From this we
are subject to a murky picture with detail never being sharp. Although the film was shot in 35mm, the DVD
makes it look more like DV. Dark scenes
are without a doubt the most problematic.
Although the picture is
less than desirable the Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo mixes are pleasing. Full of bass and other thug thumping sounds,
the soundtrack offered is without a doubt the highlight here for rap fans. Music is supplied by some of the 90’s best
rappers and the soundtrack is a 2-disc set featuring all the music from the
film. The only supplement on this disc
though is a few music videos from Westside Connection and MC EIHT.
This is certainly a film
that will only appeal to those that are into watching thug movies that deal with
gangs. Even those that love these types
of movies will certainly be annoyed with some of the shortcomings of this
film. Even when the film is at its best
it still lacks all the essential qualities of entertainment and with so little
substance this film is anything but thicker than water!
- Nate Goss
