Idlewild DVD Review: A Very Long Music Video

December 5th, 2006 in Dvd, Reviews

I knew it was only a matter of time before Hip-Hop decided to toss its hat in the ring and put out a movie in the Musical genre. With the huge success of Moulin Rouge!, and Queen Latifah getting an Oscar nod for her performance in Chicago, Andre 3000 and Big Boi of the hip-hop group Outkast finally received the greenlight for their long awaited pet-project, Idlewild.

The setting is early 1930’s in a town called Idlewild, Georgia in the midst of prohibition. Andre and Big Boi play two musicians at a speakeasy named “Tha Church” who have been best friends since they were knee-high. We follow them as they find love in unlikely places and evade rival bootleggers, all while entertaining the locals (and us at home) at “Tha Church”. This is the scene for most of the well-done and well-choreographed musical performances in the movie. Very entertaining. The dancing alone is worth the rent. Think of it as a really long music video without the diamonds and strippers.

My favorite thing about this movie, aside from the music, was Terrence Howard of Hustle & Flow fame. In every movie I see him in, he plays a cold-hearted character with a stare that would scare a Navy Seal. He does it well. This movie was no different. He is outstanding as an up-and-coming bootlegger who finally decides to take control of the industry and wipe out anyone who opposes.

All in all, it’s a great story of love and friendship, with a few songs snuck here and there. It’s more than worth the rent. At the very least, check out the soundtrack.

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