Sometimes I like to catch a flick and tell everyone what I thought. I’m no film critic, so please excuse me if I don’t speak in “thumbs up, thumbs down” language.
Bottom Line: If you are a fan of B.I.G., you’ll love this film. If you’re a fan of Tupac, you’ll get a glimpse of the rapper that you might not have seen. And if you know nothing about B.I.G. or the world of 90′s rap, this will open your eyes to what was really going on.
Review
If you grew up in 90′s, hearing this should bring back some good memories…”It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine…”
Ah yes, the 90′s, what I consider the Golden Age of rap. You had acts like Tupac, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy E, Jay-Z, Nas, Tribe Called Quest, and The Fugees leading the way…trying to patch up the damage done by Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer (btw, love the Cash4Gold commercial w/MC Hammer. Priceless). And of course, Notorious B.I.G., aka Christopher Wallace.
Then, in 1996, the rap world came to a screeching halt with the shooting death of Tupac. Controversy ensued, with the whole East Coast vs. West Coast battle spiraling out of control, ending with the shooting death of Wallace.
That’s how Notorious, the biopic of Wallace’s rise to fame and ultimate untimely passing, starts off. The first scene captures the roller-coaster essence of the film — going from extreme low, to extreme high, and back down again.
What I Liked About the Film
Jamal Woolard. Wow. For a first time performance, he was on point. He might not look exactly like B.I.G., but once he puts on his shades and pin-striped suit, he’s pretty darn close. 
And if you close your eyes and just listen…man, he’s a dead ringer. Woolard truly embodied B.I.G., nailing the lisp and breathing patterns that so defined B.I.G.
He was probably breathing heavy because of the 30 pounds Woolard put on for the role.
The Music. Obvious aspect, but hearing B.I.G.’s tracks played while his story is told, is what really brought this film together. I wasn’t the only one. I took one look around the theatre and saw everyone’s head bobbing. This spoke volumes about the impact of B.I.G.’s music that is still felt today, or that everyone was having trouble chewing their Milk Duds. And though subtle, the scene where B.I.G. just got out of jail and laid down his first “demo” was one of the most captivating moments of the film.
The Story. There are so many questions that are still unanswered about what “really” happened behind the shootings of Tupac and B.I.G. Though the truth may still be uncertain, Notorious does its best to place all the facts on the table. At the very least, Bad Boy’s side of the story is now documented in stone. Who to believe is now up to the viewers.
The film also shows a side of B.I.G. that many probably haven’t seen — his sensitive side. He has been portrayed as a thug drug dealer, but he was much more than that. He was a big man with an ever bigger heart, which is shown when interacting with his mother (with a strong performance by Angela Bassett) and children, especially the part where he tells his daughter that she shouldn’t let any man call her a b*tch. So heartwarming.
What I Didn’t Like
Propaganda. Because Notorious was produced by B.I.G.’s mother and his two managers, and exec produced by Sean Combs the film was very biased. It almost felt like Notorious was a vehicle to exonerate B.I.G. from any foul play related to Tupac’s shooting. The film almost goes out of its way to show how bad B.I.G. felt and how much he wanted the rivalry to die.
This isn’t to mention how it made Suge Knight look (I’m waiting for the case to reopened any day now…and I know who will be the first person they investigate. HINT: His initials are SK). It specifically portrayed Knight as someone who had a grudge against B.I.G. and Bad Boy, and was capable of orchestrating B.I.G.’s shooting. (if you watch Notorious, just keep an eye out for “red blazers”)
I’m not clearing Knight of any responsibility, because I am not in a place to judge this situation. But all I’m saying is that after watching Notorious, it made me feel like Knight played a part in the whole scenario.
Conclusion
Notorious will hit home for any rap fan growing up in the 90′s. Its great storytelling, supported by the strength of B.I.G.’s music, makes this film truly connect to its fan base. It brings you back to that fateful day, giving you flashbacks of what you were doing and how you felt when you heard the news.
Honestly, I didn’t want the film to end simply because I knew the conclusion. I wanted the movie to keep going, to continue celebrating the genius of Notorious B.I.G. The end was inevitable, but with it came the beginning of a new era of rap fans to get to know one of the greatest rappers the game has ever known.
Check out the trailer below:
