There are also good performances from Jada Pinkett and MC Eiht and a small role at the start from Samuel L Jackson as Caine's father. Without going into plot details the events in the film all conspire against Caine and it all catches up with him in the inevitable ending. Caine (Tyrin Turner) is basically a bystander in the opening scene as O-Dog (Larenz Tate) goes on a rampage, and this continues throughout the film, Caine is a good person but very much a victim of his circumstances, whereas O-Dog just "doesn't give a f**k".
The movie grabs your attention straight away with the robbery of the liquor store and the controversial shooting of the Korean owners, and the pace never lets up throughout. As most other reviewers have stated the film is an extemely powerful look at growing up in L.A in the early 90's. "Menace II Society was the debut film from the directing duo of the Hughes brothers, released in 1993 at the height of popularity of "hood movies". Would like to talk about some of key scenes but you dont do that when writing a review for people who havnt seen the movie, all I will say is this movie is definetly worth watching, and if your like me and really enjoy it, its worth having in the collection." Maybe thats why I like it so much, because the story is realistic and the makers dont play down the violence to get mainstream appeal. There are some similarities, but Menace II Society is alot darker, and wasnt made to please the masses. Tyrin Turner a still virtually unknown actor is excellent in this movie, and in my opinion deserves alot more credit than he has gotten.To say this movie is just powerful is an understatment, and to compare it to Boyz N the Hood is wrong too. Produced by Darin Scott & the Hughes Brothers. Other main character is Caines best friend 0-Dog (Larenz Tate) who is young, black and doesnt, his presence in movie is really a powerful one, and his lack of conscience contrasts with Caines. Things start off violent, and never really stop, from beginning to end there is bloodshed, but theres alot more than just violence in this movie, Caine lives a day to day existence, and its only in the end that he realizes whats important to him- Ronnie (Jada Pinkett), her son, his family and living. Caines narrative voice is found all throughout this movie. From the very beginning of the movie we follow Caine with an early flashback to his childhood to start. "Menace II Society is the story of Caine (Tyrin Turner) a young man living in Watts, Los Angeles.