I saw a comparison to Boyz N the Hood, some saying Road Dogz is better, others just putting it in the same coming-of-age 'hood category. I understand that, enjoying such genres (whatever that would be) and can easily compare some of the questionable acting in both films, laughable even when they're being serious. But there are serious scenes to relate to, as well as humorous ones. The boys telling Alfonse to be a man and throw girlfriend Chespi to the curb, only to go to the ollowing scene after he decides to marry her, and hear the boys telling Alfonse that they always said he needed a good girl like Chespi, and it's good Alfonse listened to them. Of the four fellas, Joe's return to the streets as an OG to guide the other three is a compelling story. Danny's struggle to not feel abandoned, to transition from a boy to a man with a woman worth doing it with, is the most intriguing aspect of the film. Raymo's thug life and hustling is an understandable facet of the street ode but it had moments of disconnect in its telling. Alfonse was the least likable, as they wrote him as obnoxiously horny, as if he might be closeted or was gonna catch that three letter virus. I'm glad they went with his angle in the end, even if it's got a ring of settling and depression to it. Free Big Joe. Not always a banger, but in the end, it rings true.
