Common Sense Media Review
Mythic tale based on 50 Cent's life; not for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
What's the Story?
GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' centers on Marcus (50 Cent), whose mother is killed when he's only eight years old. Luckily, he's surrounded by friends, family, and would-be killers who repeatedly declare their love for him. The film opens with Marcus' shooting -- based on 50 Cent's famous "nine times," then segues into flashback of his youth. His search for the father he never knew, which leads to relationships with outsized men, including brutal Majestic (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) and cellmate Bama (Terrence Howard), who becomes his rap music manager. The partners' release from prison leads to a collision with Majestic, who feels possessive toward Marcus as his "hardest working" dealer. Before it ends, the movie returns to Marcus' shooting as Marcus lies on an ER surgery table. On finding that Marcus is still alive, Majestic demonstrates the film's most hysterical love. After he assaults one non-Marcus associate with a machete, Majestic arrives for Marcus' big opening at a local club. Unable to convince his onetime protégé to step back, Majestic goads him into a fight. Barely conscious after he's been throttled and beaten, Majestic gurgles, "I love you, man." Everybody does.
Is It Any Good?
In this mythic, formulaic, and utterly earnest movie, everybody loves Marcus. He appears repeatedly in the sort of elegant, evocative filtered-light frames favored by director Jim Sheridan and DP Declan Quinn. This visual softening underlines Marcus' fundamental decency and devotion to his mother.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Marcus' choices: to be a drug dealer (to "get paid") or to try another route to "get out of the ghetto." How does the movie make Marcus sympathetic despite the fact that we see him shoot another dealer? How does this story add to the myth that 50 Cent has created about his life? Does the movie glamorize a violent lifestyle? Do your kids think this movie is true?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 9, 2005
- On DVD or streaming : March 28, 2006
- Cast : Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson , Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje , Terrence Howard
- Director : Jim Sheridan
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 134 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, pervasive language, drug content, sexuality and nudity
- Last updated : September 26, 2024
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