Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Menace II Society Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 11, 2021

Albert and Allen Hughes' "Menace II Society" (1993) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include two archival audio commentaries by the directors; new audio commentary by director of photography Lisa Rinzler; deleted scenes; archival music video; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

What would be your immediate reaction if a young boy revealed to you that he does not know whether he wishes to be alive? Would you be perplexed, concerned, or terrified? Now, think about what could possibly force the boy to even consider giving up on life? An incurable illness? A great tragedy? It has to be something very serious, something that has profoundly and permanently altered the boy’s understanding and appreciation of his existence, correct?

Now, put aside the possible answers you came up with and consider something else. What if this boy never had the opportunity to learn how precious life is, how to value it, and how to live it the right way and pursue happiness? What if while growing up the boy became immune to optimism because everyone else around him had the same nihilistic view of life? Such a scenario could explain a lot that is happening in the boy’s head, correct?

There is a short sequence in Albert and Allen Hughes’ film Menace II Society where one of its two protagonists, Caine (Tyrin Turner), who happens to be a young boy, is asked whether he cares to live or die. His answer? “I don’t know.” Then he quickly walks away, for a short period of time looking genuinely annoyed, followed closely by his best pal, O-Dog (Larenz Tate), who is a wanted killer. This short sequence sums up perfectly absolutely everything that happens in Menace II Society.

Earlier in the film, but later on as well, Caine explains why he ended up with such a nihilistic view of life and how all of his troubles were directly influenced by it. It is a simple explanation that actually reveals The Cause behind the explosion of youth violence in America’s inner cities. Even though his old man was around, Caine grew up without a real father in his life, so the vacuum that existed there was routinely filled by street elements insisting that nihilism ought to be his credo. His mother, who was a drug addict, wasn’t of much help to him either. So, by the time Caine lost both his father and his mother and went to live with his grandparents, his street education was fully completed. He was already heading down the same dangerous path his father was on before he died, too.

The rest of the film essentially documents the inevitable premature end of Caine’s existence. O-Dog is usually close to him and together they are drifting through a sea of troubles much like delusional gamblers would risk their lives playing Russian roulette. It is way, way too obvious that the crucial deadly ‘click’ is coming. Even when Ronnie (Jada Pinkett Smith), a girl he genuinely loves, urges him to take a chance with her and move to Atlanta where together they can start from scratch, Caine still hesitates. If he does not care about living, why would Atlanta be any different than LA?

Menace II Society was conceived to be the flip side of Boyz n the Hood and it is essentially what it turned out to be. However, it is debatable whether this is actually a good thing. Indeed, while it rightfully recognizes that African-American boys and young men growing up in broken families are destined to have a rough life, it mishandles its sense of authenticity in such striking ways that most of the situations its two protagonists face routinely look flat-out ridiculous.

The acting is a mixed bag, too. There are a few sequences where Turner looks authentic, but Tate is difficult to like because of his overdone posturing. On top of this, some of the best material where the two actually look good is very oddly edited. Somewhat ironically, the actors doing the smaller parts are vastly superior. Pinkett Smith plays the ambitious girl who wants to leave LA with the right attitude and energy. Arnold Johnson looks like a real grandpa who demands respect as well. Bill Duke appears in a single sequence where he plays a tough and experienced police detective but still manages to leave a lasting impression.

Menace II Society Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Menace II Society arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The text below was used in our review of the 4K Blu-ray release of Menace II Society. It is reposted here because it addresses the 4K and 1080p presentations of the film.

The following text appears inside the leaflet that is provided with this release:

"This new digital transfer was created in 4K resolution on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner from the 35mm A/B camera negative at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging in Burbank, California. It was graded in Dolby Vision HDR (high dynamic range) under the supervision of cinematographer Lisa Rinzler and codirector Albert Hughes. Restoration was undertaken by the Criterion Collection. On the 4K Blu-ray disc, the feature is presented in Dolby Vision HDR. On the Blu-ray, it is presented in high-definition SDR (standard dynamic range). Approved by sound supervisor Steven Williams and codirector Albert Hughes, the 7.1 surround and 2.0 surround soundtracks were remastered from the original digital master audio files. Please be sure to enable Dolby Pro Logic decoding on your receiver to properly play the Dolby 2.0 surround soundtrack.

Transfer supervisor: Lee Kline, Giles Sherwood/Criterion Post, New York.
Colorist: Roman Hankewycz/Harbor Post, New York."

It is immediately obvious that the film has been newly restored/remastered because all of its visuals look very healthy and fresh. Predictably, delineation, clarity, and depth remain very pleasing from start to finish. Highlights are reproduced with excellent precision as well, so plenty of the outdoor footage looks wonderful. In native 4K the film looks slightly darker but has expanded nuances, both during daylight and nighttime/indoor footage. However, I have to admit that there were a few sequences where I felt that the overall balance was a little better in 1080p. I found this a bit odd, but it is just my preference, so do not take it as anything else. The overall color-scheme favors warmer primaries and supporting nuances, so expect an overall warm temperature for all visuals. My sense is that this balance is slightly different from the one that the film conveyed in the theater, but the difference is very small. Density levels are very good. Image stability is outstanding. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free release).

In 1080p the film looks very good, too. However, a direct comparison with the 4K presentation does reveal that some visuals can appear slightly looser. This did not surprise me because density and fluidity are almost always better in 4K, but I wanted to mention it because with Dolby Vision enabled the discrepancy is immediately recognizable. Color reproduction is very strong, particularly during nighttime/darker footage, where in 1080p some nuances looked a tad better on my system. The rest is identical. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Menace II Society Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track but kept switching to the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track. I think viewed most of the film with the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. Both sounded great to me, especially during the action footage, where there are spikes in dynamic activity and some surround movement. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track definitely opens up some of this footage quite a bit, adding extra oomph that some viewers will surely appreciate as well. But the basics are solid on both tracks. The dialog and narration are very clear and everything that is said is very easy to follow. There are no stability issues either. If there ever were any age-related anomalies, though I doubt it, it is impossible to tell now.

Menace II Society Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary One - in this archival audio commentary, Allen Hughes discusses the shock value of some key sequences in Menace II Society, the particular use of sound in similar sequences, some of the forced cuts that he and his brother had to do on their original version of the film, the depiction of the generation gap and what it reflects (and specifically the fact that violent kids misinterpret religion), the use of music, etc. The commentary was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 1993.

• Commentary Two - in this archival audio commentary, Albert Hughes discusses primarily the visual aspects of Menace II Society and specifically how different sequences were framed and lit, various editing choices that were made once the film was completed, the use of color lights throughout (and specifically the significance of red lights), the intent to make the film appear more expensive than it really was, the filmmakers' relationship with New Line Cinema, etc. The commentary was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 1993.

• Trailer - vintage trailer for Menace II Society. Remastered. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Deleted Scenes - presented here are two scenes that Albert and Allen Hughes cut from their initial version of Menace II Society to maintain the focus of its story and flow. In English, not subtitles.
  
  1. Harold's Funeral. (2 min).
  2. Visit with Caine's Grandparents (2 min).

• Film-to-Storyboard Comparison - this short video compares the original storyboards for the killing sequence at the fast food place with the final filmed material. The drawings were created by a professional storyboard artist that worked with original content supplied by Albert Hughes. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Music Video - presented here is an original music video for 2Pac's "Brenda's Got a Baby". The video was directed by Albert and Allen Hughes in 1991, and was apparently instrumental in convincing New Line Cinema that they were ready to work on feature films. (4 min).

• The Hughes Brothers - in this archival interview, Albert and Allen Hughes discuss some of the directors and films that influenced them in the years before they made their directorial debut (GoodFellas, Scarface), their decision not to depict or reference the feud between The Bloods and Crips in their film in order to give it a more universal message, why art should not have an "artistic responsibility" so that it remains authentic and legit, the critical reception of Menace II Society, etc. The interview was recorded for Criterion in 1993. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Gangsta Vision - this archival program features interviews with Albert and Allen Hughes, producer Darin Scott, screenwriter Tyger Williams, and actors Larenz Tate and Ryan Williams. The interviewees discuss the impact Scarface and Goodfellas have had on popular culture, the conception of Menace II Society, the relationship between Menace II Society and Boyz n the Hood, the casting choices, and the finished film. The program was produced by Automat Pictures in 2009. In English, not subtitled. (22 min).

• Liza Rinzler - this selected-scene commentary was recorded by director of photography Lisa Rinzler for Criterion in August 2021. Mrs. Rinzler, who had previously worked with Albert and Allen Hughes on various music videos, discusses some of the particular choices that were made to infuse Menace II Society with a sense of heightened reality rather than naturalism, the need to respond to unique improvisation during the filming process, and Martin Scorsese and his style as a guiding force that ultimately shaped up the look of Menace II Society. In English, not subtitled. (22 min).

• Trust and Collaboration - in this new program, Allen Hughes and Bill Duke recall their collaboration on Menace II Society and discuss some of the film's important themes. The program, which is moderated by critic Elvis Mitchell, was produced for Criterion in July 2021. In English, not subtitled. (27 min).

• Capturing Youth - presented here is a filmed conversation between Albert Hughes and screenwriter Tyger Williams, moderated by critic Elvis Mitchell. The conversation was filmed for Criterion in June 2021. In English, not subtitled. (35 min).

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic Craig D. Lindsey as well as technical credits.

Menace II Society Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A direct comparison between Menace II Society and Boyz n the Hood is unavoidable and instantly reveals that the latter is clearly a superior film. Obviously, the two were conceived to deliver their messages in different ways, but the fact remains that one of them is better directed and acted, even better edited, and ultimately more effective. Also, I personally think that Menace II Society places too much emphasis on the shock value of its content and as a result frequently begins to look like a promo piece for a dangerous lifestyle it supposedly aims to accurately expose. If you want the film in your collection, my advice is to consider picking up the 4K Blu-ray release, which also has a standard Blu-ray copy. Even if you don't have a 4K system at the moment, eventually you will upgrade and with the 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo release you will have 4K content ready to use.