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50 Cent Movie Worth the Bucks

By Michael Ivey Jr.
Black College Wire

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures During a brief prison stint, 50 Cent's character Marcus discovers a passion for writing music.

Many were expecting the worst from 50 Cent's acting debut, but "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," named after his multi-platinum debut album, is a safe avenue for the CEO of G-Unit Records to enter Hollywood.

Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent, brings a ready-made fan base to theaters via his music, bolstered by the release of an all-new 50 Cent/G-Unit soundtrack.

An unauthorized biographical DVD, "Refuse To Die," was released by New Line Entertainment. Add in that some Los Angeles and Philadelphia communities removed billboards that displayed 50's tattooed back, a microphone in one hand and a gun in the other, and the stage is set for the controversy connoisseur to show his story to the world.

In the film, Marcus, aka Young Caesar (50 Cent), spends most of his time at his grandparents' house because his mother Katrina (Serena Reeder) is always out hustling for neighborhood boss Majestic (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). Marcus misses her, but is preoccupied by the luxuries his job affords and by rapping, mostly about his girlfriend Charlene (Joy Bryant).

During an argument between Katrina and another dealer, Katrina is killed. Marcus vows revenge. He begins dealing, and Majestic takes the kid under his wing. Marcus buys his first gun, and we fast-forward to his high school days as he aims the gun at a mirror in his cramped cellar apartment. He gets busted in school for drug possession, and when his grandfather berates Marcus after a court hearing, he proclaims, "I'm a gangsta, Grandpa. And I'm proud of it."

During a brief prison stint, Marcus discovers a passion for writing music and meets Bama (Terrence Howard), who saves his life and subsequently becomes his manager. The change of focus and association leaves Marcus on the outside of Majestic's circle, and therefore in harm's way.

"Get Rich or Die Tryin'" is entertaining throughout. However, it's not as "ultra" gangster" or unrealistically underdog-driven as one might expect.

The plot shows a young man emotionally corrupted by his environment and the death of his mother.

Marcus is portrayed as a survivor. The key shooting scene is done well by Declan Quinn, the director of photography, and by Jim Sheridan, producer/director. It's a believable recreation of a man surviving nine shots at close range.

We get to see 50 Cent in a very different light when Marcus reunites with his childhood girlfriend. During his recovery from the shooting, Charlene questions whether he has the heart to continue striving. He breaks down crying.

50 Cent picked the safest and smartest role possible -- himself.

However, this doesn't necessarily feel as if we're watching 50 play 50. His acting coaches deserve enormous credit.

The most glaring negative is Marcus' lack of emotional arch. He is not as ruthless during his hustling days; therefore, when he turns to music, it's the same anger -- just a different target. It's not necessarily music that motivates Marcus, but humiliating his former employer through his music. This takes away from the idea of hip-hop as the gangster's saving grace. The film also seems to be set in the eighties, but the wardrobe suggests a later period.

In all, 50 Cent's celebrity and the sensationalism of his story turn a decent film into a very entertaining comparison of life and art.

Michael Ivey Jr., a student at Howard University, writes for the Hilltop.

Posted Nov. 14, 2005