Flipping through the channels and came across 8 Mile. Gotta say... I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Then I went through my computer and came across a stash of reviews from older movies. So... here's my take from when I first saw it. Enjoy!
They claim that this movie is based on Eminem’s hardscrabble upbringing in the slums of Detroit. They lie. It’s based on the Karate Kid. And that, my friends, is a very, very good thing.
Now, I will admit, there’s no Mr. Miyagi and Em didn’t learn to rap by doing household chores. But make no mistake, this is the story of one kid fighting for what he believes in and overcoming insurmountable odds and that always makes for good cinema.
Em is B. Rabbit (Daniel Larusso) a white kid (read: outsider) immersed in the world of hip hop (hip hop=kung fu). He doesn’t want to participate in the rap battles (All valley Under 18 Karate Tourney), but when the gang of thug rappers known as the Free World (yup… the Cobra Kai. This is where the analogy gains steam) goad him into battling by beating him up (and some other mean things)…. Well, that, my friends, is when 8 Mile kicks into high gear.
Kim Basinger plays his single mom (I don’t need to keep pointing out the parallels), but, annoyingly, now that she has an Oscar, she thinks she has license to try not to look hot and act. Wrong. Get in that make up chair, have them do your hair. Supposed to be white trash? I don’t care. Because your looks will scare, kinda like Cher, make your face up pretty that’s why your there. Sorry. Side effect of seeing the film, you walk out trying to freestyle. Safer than picking fights and trying to sand people’s faces.
Brittany Murphy is the love interest and she looks a bit sluttier than a chubby Elisabeth Shue (man, she made my young heart beat fast). And she puts out. Which may sound like a good idea but leads to the Most Awkward Love Scene in Movie History. Em & this girl have sex in the steel plant. But in a movie about music, there is none playing while they have sex. So they’re just grunting and breathing heavy while you’re looking around the theater like PeeWee Herman. Horrible. You feel like your grandma is sitting next to you. Honestly, if you watch this movie, bring your walkman with you tape of Berlin and cue up Take My Breath Away because with no music playing, you don’t feel like staying. No music’s a mistake, like a half-eaten Crab Cake. Yeah, I called it a CrabCa in the name of William Zabka. Ooops. Sorry.
Shockingly, Eminem raps very little in the film until the climactic final scene. Most of the movie is about his friends and his shitty life and his struggle to get out to a better place… like the beaches of Venice, CA. But it’s pretty funny, and Em is actually likeable. And when that final rap scene arrives… well, it’s worth the price of admission. With his back to the wall, Em does the unthinkable, the rap version of the crane. And, as we have all learned… when done correct, no can defense.
Anyway, I enjoyed this movie thoroughly and was pleasantly surprised by Mr. Mathers. But it will make you want to rap. And eat crabcas.
