ATL (2006)

"Where it all began"

I am amazed at the mixed reviews this movie has garnered. Its really not that bad and is actually watchable and definitely enjoyable. ATL chronicles the life of four black men, Rashad(T.I.), Esquire(Jason Long), Brooklyn(Albert Daniels) and Teddy(Jason Weaver) and their growing up in Atlanta, Georgia.

The acting is good and nobody is given in to fits of outrageous overacting in this movie. T.I and the rest of the cast act just like the laid back residents of Atlanta Georgia without coming out forced. Big Boi was better here than he was in Idlewild and Mykelti Williamson was better here than he was in Forrest Gump.

Brief Spoilers: Rashad knows that his little brother "Jellybean"(Evan Ross)is headed down the wrong path after catching him riding in the car with a local drug dealer(played by Big Boi of Outkast). He also has problems when he finds out that his gorgeous girlfriend, New New(Lauren London) lies about being loaded(believe it or not people have done stranger things than that).

ATL has heart, is genuinely funny. It is also easy to follow and the characters(especially Rashad and his crew) are all likeable. Also T.I. and Lauren London make a good looking couple on screen. The chemistry between each character is not forced and the people in this movie actually talk to each other with a sense of civility without acting like crazed pitbulls on heroin. This movie might not address important issues in society but its not over the top ignorant and stereotypical like John Singleton's 2001 blooperfest(no names needed, you know what "movie" I'm talking about) I'll watch this movie over that monstrosity anyday because I feel at ease when Im watching ATL and I dont feel like Im being bombarded with wacky stereotypes and overacting. Just people that are misundertood and are trying to make sense of the situations they are given. This movie is strongly recommended to the crowd that rather see black people act like normal people and not like crazed jackals(like these brainless hood flicks that come out every month have them doing).
Two thumbs up indeed. November 24, 2008

A PLEASANT SURPRISE!

My age, the cast of rappers, and the Netflix synopsis here ordinarily would have made me pass this flick. I couldn't take another "sci-fi" film about a rapper escaping the 'hood on a magic carpet woven from his dope rhymes! But having lived outside Atlanta and being a professional in the record business ever since the city became a certified hip-hop mecca, I keep hoping that someone would see that the city's young people have more depth to them than gold teeth, do-rags and "desperate house-B.A.P.S.". I'm glad to say that writer Antwan Fisher and director Chris Robinson did not dissappoint me. If you are from "The Dirty South", you'd know that "ATL" is a fairly accurate protrayal of what most of the kids growing up in the "S.W.A.T." (SW ATlanta) have to deal with while fighting to survive in the inner city. The story is not a vehicle to showcase TI's rap talents - this is not "8 Mile" - it's a sensitive portrayal of four young black men at the crossroad of their lives. In a country where the African-American male is an endangered species, and living past 21 is a major accomplishment, decisions about their futures are extremely critical. Although the message is well-worn and the ending predictable, Robinson compensates with great camera work which is not the usual music video to feature film fare with poor lighting and choppy editing. Great location, such as the venerable Cascasde Family Skating Rink, provide authentic local color. The outstanding soundtrack successfully moves the film along during bland scenes. Kudos go out to the fine young cast who dish up excellent DEBUT performances. Antwan "Big Boi" Patton's preppy drug dealer role successfully struggles with having to compete with his well-known celebrity as half of the talented musical duo OutKast. But the stand-out performers are Tip "TI" Harris (Rashad), Jackie Long (Esquire), and Evan Ross (Antwan, aka,"Ant"). Atlanta rapper TI is intense and believable as an angst-filled orphaned teen trying to protect Ant, his younger impressionable brother. August 3, 2008

Great movie with a GREAT story!

I would have never known that rapper T.I was such a great actor!!

The movie ATL was so great, that it's one of my favorites. There is a dynamic cast. This movie has a great moral to follow at the end, and it's definantly a tearjerker, but at the same time it's a comedy. You have to own this movie. I know that you won't be disapointed.

By the way, I have NO CLUE why someone tagged this movie as 50 cent? ha. December 2, 2007

A surprisingly good movie

Would have never gone to the movies to see this based on its marketing, music, and cast. But happened to catch it on HBO and was so surprised at how unusual it was. The acting and directing were well done. This certainly isn't what you'd expect and is not your usual ghetto scene movie. This movie does have heart, a message, and is entertaining. The background music is not my taste, but would watch this again. A refreshing change. I'm happy to see that there are some writers and directors out there who are willing to take a chance on a story like this. September 30, 2007

!

This is ma MOVIEE!!!!! T I was suchh a good actor and i really felt the love between him and new new. all the acting was great and the story was different. it actually had a message. it made me laugh, cry, and get pissed. this is theee best movie i seen in a long time September 27, 2007

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