--- title: "Boyz n the Hood: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/boyz-n-the-hood/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/boyz-n-the-hood" critics_score: 89 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Boyz n the Hood (1991): what the critics said Critics' score 89 from 8 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimously positive, with praise centred on Singleton’s confident direction, the natural performances and a depiction of South Central LA that gives family life as much weight as violence. Most critics find the drama powerful without being exploitative, stressing its humanity, dignity and attention to everyday pressures. Laurence Fishburne and Ice Cube receive particular praise, while the father-son relationship and sharp characterisation help make the film’s politics accessible and personal. The differences are chiefly in the strength of the enthusiasm, rather than any dispute over the film’s worth. Time Out offers the clearest reservations, finding weaknesses in the supporting roles, portrayals of women and score, while still praising the script and central performances. Elsewhere, the emphasis varies between righteous anger, melancholy and idealism; the consensus is that the film’s social concerns strengthen its drama rather than overwhelm its characters. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 4/4. 12 July 1991. The critic calls it one of the best American films of recent years, a thoughtful realistic coming-of-age drama of rare power and enormous importance. He singles out the confident direction, natural performances, and maturity that avoids cheap shots or easy payoffs. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/boyz-n-the-hood-1991) ## Empire — Lloyd Bradley Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic praises the film for realistically depicting everyday life in South Central LA without glorifying violence or overt moralising, noting how it focuses on the impact of events on families and characters' self-contained dignity. It is hailed as an amazing debut that any seasoned director would be proud of. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/boyz-n-hood-review/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 October 2016. The critic praises Singleton’s debut as a fluent, stylish and powerful drama about life in South Central LA that stands out for its humanity, idealism and lack of cynicism 25 years on. Special mention goes to the strong performances and the still-fierce gentrification speech by Laurence Fishburne. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/27/boyz-n-the-hood-review-blistering-humanitarian-classic-john-singleton) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Duane Byrge Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 1991. The critic calls the film a booming, heart slam with power, dignity and humor, praising its portrayal of minute-by-minute struggle in South Central LA and the standout performances, especially from Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Ice Cube and Angela Bassett. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/boyz-n-hood-review-1991-movie-1020302/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 1991. The critic finds Singleton's debut terrifically confident and places him alongside Spike Lee as a chronicler of young black men's frustrations, with a distinct Californian viewpoint and new dramatic force. She singles out the gut-wrenching finale that builds from casual storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/12/movies/review-film-a-chance-to-confound-fate.html) ## Little White Lies — David Jenkins Rating 4/4/4. 26 October 2016. The critic calls the film a righteously angry and prescient study of how violence takes root in the streets, contrasting it with Spike Lee's work while noting its wistful melancholia. They single out the nuanced father-son relationship and Ice Cube's restrained, nonchalant performance as highlights. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/boyz-n-the-hood) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 4/5. 24 October 2016. The critic describes it as an important, politically astute and fiercely entertaining film that lays out truths about black American lives, praising the accessible script, sharp characterisation and strong central performances, especially Ice Cube's debut. They note some flaws in supporting roles, female portrayals and the score. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/boyz-n-the-hood) ## Den of Geek — Stuart Anderson Rating 5/5. 13 September 2011. The critic praises the film's enduring power and its portrayal of life in South Central LA, singling out Laurence Fishburne's performance as a standout. It is called an essential document of American cinema. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/boyz-n-the-hood-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/boyz-n-the-hood.md