8 Mile Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)November 7th, 2002
8 MILE
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): * 1/2
In the singers-who-can't-act sweepstakes, Britney Spears (CROSSROADS) is still on top, edging out Eminem, who is about on par with Mariah Carey (GLITTER). His acting in 8 MILE, directed by Curtis Hanson (WONDER BOYS), consists of a single sad glare.
Writer Scott Silver, who last penned the atrocious remake of THE MOD SQUAD, comes up with as generic a script as possible for 8 MILE. The by-the-numbers story follows a rapper nicknamed Rabbit as he tries to work his way out of his traditional rust belt job as a "bumper presser." You've seen this movie a thousand times before.
Rabbit has aspirations. He wants to be a successful hip hop artist. To get his start, he goes to hip hop contests in which he is ridiculed as one who always chokes. The story, of course, will end up in the big competition in which Rabbit will have to face the local star, Papa Doc (Anthony Mackie). Think Rabbit might win?
Viewers who aren't big hip hop fans won't be winners since this movie offers them nothing other than an opportunity to get in out of the cold. When I wasn't checking my watch, I found myself composing rap reviews of the film. Unlike the rappers in the movie, I didn't find a need for an overuse of the F-word. The B-word, however, was prominently features in my verses. Boring.
8 MILE runs 1:51. It is rated R for "strong language, sexuality, some violence and drug use" and would be acceptable for older teenagers.
My son Jeffrey, age 13, gave the film *** 1/2, saying that he liked the music and Eminem's acting.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, November 8, 2002. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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