Grade: C
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???Anyone who was eager for the release of the hip-hop biopic Notorious and optimistic to learn something new about Mr. Biggie Smalls, sadly turn your head and look away because this is not the movie for you.
???Despite the young actor's stellar performance in his first leading role, Jamal Woolard still misses the mark and fails to convince the audience that he was the Notorious B.I.G.
???With such stage presence and charisma, it would be difficult for any young actor to try and portray Biggie.
???The film attempts to sum up the aspects of Biggie's life; whether it's running around with his friend Damion "D-Roc" Butler (Denis L.A. White, The Brave One), drug dealing on the streets of Brooklyn, confronting his father's abandonment as a young boy or the cumbersome relationship he held with his strict Jamaican-born mother Ms. Wallace (Angela Bassett, Nothing but the Truth).
???One of the most notable qualities discussed is Biggie's profound hunger for success and ability to inspire and move people through his lyrics.
???The different relationships he fostered throughout his life are portrayed, including his partnership with executive producer Puff Daddy (Derek Luke, Miracle at St. Anna) sparking the beginning of Bad Boy Records, leading to the hit "Mo Money, Mo Problems."
???Meanwhile, the love triangle between fellow Bad Boy artists Lil' Kim (Naturi Naughton, Taina), Biggie's ex-girlfriend, and his wife Faith Evans (Antonique Smith, Across the Universe) is barely addressed.
???Though not a major focus of the film, viewers can feel the hurt and pain that both women faced with the rapper through their strong individual performances.
???Tupac Shakur, Biggie's friend-turned-foe, stems off of a big misunderstanding when Tupac accuses Biggie of having some involvement with him being shot, where the Notorious B.I.G. just happened to be a few flights up laying down tracks in the recording studio, according to the film.
???Anthony Mackie (Eagle Eye) fails to win over his audience in his portrayal of Shakur, with a barely believable performance of the rapper.
???Film buffs and rap fans interested in watching Notorious out of pure curiosity or as a compassionate fan looking to see Biggie's face on more time should be prepared to expect mediocre performances that are sure to amuse, but not enough to "wow" you.
???Rap's biggest icon deserves better than this.
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
