Spring Break
REVIEW: 'Notorious' movie retells, celebrates life of Brooklyn rapper Christopher 'Biggie' Wallace
4 out of 5 stars
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 1/20/09 Section: Focus
It was 1997 when Brooklyn rapper (and now the legendary) Notorious B.I.G. was shot four times in the chest in Los Angeles while visiting the west coast to promote his second album, "Life After Death." He was pronounced dead early in the morning of March 9, just two weeks before the album's release. His unsolved murder capped off a drama-filled, media-fueled battle between hip-hop's two sides.
Now, nearly 12 years later, Biggie Smalls lives on in "Notorious," but instead of solemnly counting down to his untimely murder, his official biopic celebrates the triumph that was the life of Christopher Wallace.
So the big question on everyone's mind is how well does rapper-turned-actor Jamal "Gravy" Woolard emulate Notorious B.I.G.? From the start of the project, fans debated whether or not the studio would find someone who would sound the part, look the part or be able to match Wallace's swagger. When word was released that Woolard, a Brooklyn rapper as well who has no prior acting experience, got the part, skepticism grew. Well worry not: Woolard is Notorious reincarnate. To put it simply, he is the reason why "Notorious" is as entertaining as it is.
From the robust figure (Woolard put on significant weight for the role) to the head tilt while rocking the microphone, all aspects of his portrayal are flawless. Oh, and when he actually raps, he captures Wallace's flow quite well.
There was no greater moment than in one scene that found Woolard standing in front of a mic in a recording studio searching for the hit that'll take him to the top. As the instrumentals to Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" play in the background, he drops the opening lines to "Juicy" spot on, down to the "it's all good baby, bay-bay."
The rest of the cast compliments Woolard well. Angela Bassett is terrific as Bigge's mother Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke plays Sean "Puffy" Combs down to his strong business ethics and ridiculous dance moves and even former 3LW member Naturi Naughton lands the sexy and often naked Lil' Kim in an entertaining way. Anthony Mackie, however, steals the co-star spotlight with his portrayal of Biggie friend-turned-foe Tupac Shakur, capturing the complex paranoia driven from his 1994 New York shooting that led to beef that may or may not have taken both his and Biggie's lives.
Where "Notorious" draws its flaws is in plot progression. Director George Tillman Jr., who also helmed "Soul Food" and "Men of Honor," went for a feel-good story here, which is fine, but focused a bit too much on Biggie's relationships with his first baby momma Jan, Lil' Kim and ex-wife Faith Evans. Where the movie should have been "real," it went soft. Where it should have focused a bit more on the music, it went for more of a dramatic take on Biggie's life. It works well to keep the lighthearted mood alive, and that's what "Notorious" is really supposed to be about, but some are going to want more - more grime, grit and "hood" images.
The sky was the limit for Wallace, and although many remember him for his tragic murder at the age of 24, major props must be given to the filmmakers on telling a fine tale about a boy from Brooklyn with dreams of being the greatest.
Now, nearly 12 years later, Biggie Smalls lives on in "Notorious," but instead of solemnly counting down to his untimely murder, his official biopic celebrates the triumph that was the life of Christopher Wallace.
So the big question on everyone's mind is how well does rapper-turned-actor Jamal "Gravy" Woolard emulate Notorious B.I.G.? From the start of the project, fans debated whether or not the studio would find someone who would sound the part, look the part or be able to match Wallace's swagger. When word was released that Woolard, a Brooklyn rapper as well who has no prior acting experience, got the part, skepticism grew. Well worry not: Woolard is Notorious reincarnate. To put it simply, he is the reason why "Notorious" is as entertaining as it is.
From the robust figure (Woolard put on significant weight for the role) to the head tilt while rocking the microphone, all aspects of his portrayal are flawless. Oh, and when he actually raps, he captures Wallace's flow quite well.
There was no greater moment than in one scene that found Woolard standing in front of a mic in a recording studio searching for the hit that'll take him to the top. As the instrumentals to Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" play in the background, he drops the opening lines to "Juicy" spot on, down to the "it's all good baby, bay-bay."
The rest of the cast compliments Woolard well. Angela Bassett is terrific as Bigge's mother Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke plays Sean "Puffy" Combs down to his strong business ethics and ridiculous dance moves and even former 3LW member Naturi Naughton lands the sexy and often naked Lil' Kim in an entertaining way. Anthony Mackie, however, steals the co-star spotlight with his portrayal of Biggie friend-turned-foe Tupac Shakur, capturing the complex paranoia driven from his 1994 New York shooting that led to beef that may or may not have taken both his and Biggie's lives.
Where "Notorious" draws its flaws is in plot progression. Director George Tillman Jr., who also helmed "Soul Food" and "Men of Honor," went for a feel-good story here, which is fine, but focused a bit too much on Biggie's relationships with his first baby momma Jan, Lil' Kim and ex-wife Faith Evans. Where the movie should have been "real," it went soft. Where it should have focused a bit more on the music, it went for more of a dramatic take on Biggie's life. It works well to keep the lighthearted mood alive, and that's what "Notorious" is really supposed to be about, but some are going to want more - more grime, grit and "hood" images.
The sky was the limit for Wallace, and although many remember him for his tragic murder at the age of 24, major props must be given to the filmmakers on telling a fine tale about a boy from Brooklyn with dreams of being the greatest.
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