Dope is suave, fresh and actually Dope. It is an original, coming of age film featuring 3 high school students, who gets involved with a troublesome gang, & later circumstances forces them to mature from geeks to drug dealers in a snap. The "dopeness" of the film is largely due to its consistent charisma and energy, plus the sheer volume of assets to like. Despite its grassroots setting, there is no melodrama to be found here as the script focuses on being light, engaging & seriously funny. The soundtrack was an absolute nostalgic treat, headlining 90s hip hip like its nobody's business. The lead actors were very relatable as they perfectly nailed their roles from innocent, hormonal adolescents, to desperate for a way out teens. What takes the cake however, is the films main message that is again, original & unique but also powerful. The films shares with us that there is a way to get out of a bad social construct, to make something of yourself. How the film reaches this messaging however, is riddled with questionable plot turnouts and Hollywood sugarcoating. Besides this, seeing Dope was an enjoyable experience. It is well directed, acted and boasts a storyline rarely seen before. For that, the film deserves a 7/10.
