8 Mile
Even if you have little understanding of hip-hop/rap culture (such as myself), 8 Mile isn't as tough to get a handle on as you might think—and that's precisely the problem. Substitute a white-trash rapper in Detroit for a blue-collar Italian boxer in South Philly and... well, you get the idea. Despite taking place in a somewhat indefinite world to many of us, this situation feels all too familiar. Instead of taking the time to involve those of us foreign to this world in its uniqueness, 8 Mile simply regurgitates characters and scenarios from other pictures from On the Waterfront to Rocky. Hmm, there's that boxing theme again. 8 Mile would like to think of itself as a combative, "underdog makes good" story, but frankly it's just not that interesting. The only thing the movie succeeds at is explaining the origins of Eminem's rather misogynous lyrics, borne out of a lack of respect for his low self-esteemed, alcoholic mother. As for Eminem, he does a very respectable job of essentially playing himself; a lot of other artists in that position have crashed and burned at such attempts.
- July 27, 2005
DVD Extras
This stuff was actually far more interesting than the movie, in particular footage of rap battles between Eminem and local Detroit rappers auditioning to appear in the movie. Also included is an uncensored version of the music video for his song Superman, and two features on the making of the movie and the music behind the film.