The tone is fast and funny, with a modern "Risky Business" or "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" vibe, but there's an additional layer that stems from the violence of the neighborhood. The stakes are very real for kids like Malcolm, living hand-to-mouth and attending an underfunded school with only one shot at getting out. It's no wonder some top African-American celebs (Sean Combs, Pharrell Williams) have lent support as exec producers of the film.
But unfortunately many scenes seriously overstay their welcome, and don't land the intended laughs. At times the film is just dopey, though there's enough in the mix that's addictive