New Jack City

1991

New Jack City

Critics Consensus

Stylishly directed by Mario Van Peebles, New Jack City offsets its melodramatic streak with electrifying action and a cavalcade of effective performances.

77%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 30

80%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 45,330

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Movie Info

The ruthless leader of a New York City drug syndicate battles to maintain his power and avoid imprisonment in this fast-moving action drama. While the film's heroes are Scotty (Ice-T) and Nick (Judd Nelson), a pair of tough, streetwise cops, the main focus is their target, drug lord Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes). A criminal businessman with no room for pity or emotion, the flashy but severe Brown has built an empire and transformed an abandoned Harlem apartment building into a well-defended fortress. He begins to consider himself invincible, but his lust for power and the unpredictable actions of a former client turned police informer threaten to bring about his potential downfall. First-time director Mario Van Peebles keeps the traditional plot moving at an appropriately rapid pace, with stylish action sequences and energetic performances. The film's violence was somewhat controversial on its initial release, especially after shooting incidents marred showings in several theaters. However, the film's moral message is clearly anti-drug and anti-crime, its main intent to provide a high-powered, modern take on the gangster movie. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Cast

Mario Van Peebles
as Stone
Wesley Snipes
as Nino Brown
Allen Payne
as Money
Ice-T
as Appleton
Judd Nelson
as Peretti
Chris Rock
as Pookie
Tracy Camila Johns
Russell Wong
as Park
Ben Gottlieb
as Prosecuting Attorney
Michael Michele
as Selina
Chang Park Kim
Vanessa L. Williams
as Keisha
Bill Nunn
as Duh Duh Duh Man
Bill Cobbs
as Old Man
Christopher Williams
as Kareem Akbar
Vanessa A. Williams
as Keisha
Tracy Camilla Johns
as Uniqua
Anthony DeSando
as Frankie Needles
Nick Ashford
as Reverend Oates
Thalmus Rasulala
as Police Commissioner
John Aprea
as Don Armeto
Fab 5 Freddy
as Master of Ceremonies
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney
as Prosecuting Attorney Hawkins
Flavor Flav
as D.J.
Clebert Ford
as Frazier
Laverne Hart
as Prom Queen
Eek-A-Mouse
as Fat Smitty
Gregg Smrz
as Biff
Erica McFarquhar
as Teacher
Keith Sweat
as Singer at Wedding
Max Rabinowitz
as Gigantor
Marcella Lowery
as Woman in Hallway
Manuel E. Santiago
as Judge
Ben Gotleib
as Prosecuting Attorney
Manuel Santiago
as Judge
Thelma Louise Carter
as Reporter
Linda Froehlich
as Reporter
Christopher Michael
as Bailiff
Tiger Frederick
as Basketball Player
Rynel Johnson
as Basketball Player
Kelly Jo Minter
as Recovering Addict
Tina Lifford
as Recovering Addict
Paul Raczkowski
as Recovering Addict
Erik Kilpatrick
as Recovering Addict
Harold Baines
as Kid on Stoop
Sekou Campbell
as Kid on Stoop
David Michael Golson
as Kid on Stoop
Garvin Holder
as Kid on Stoop
Leo O'Brien
as Kid on Stoop
Bobby Stancil
as Kid on Stoop
Teddy Riley
as New Year's Eve Band Member
Aaron Hall
as New Year's Eve Band Member
Damion Hall
as New Year's Eve Band Member
Damien Hall
as New Year's Eve Band Member
Allen McNeil
as Singers - Spring - (Troop)
Gerald Levert
as Singers - Winter - (Levert)
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Critic Reviews for New Jack City

All Critics (30) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (7)

  • Quote not available.

    September 7, 2011 | Rating: C- | Full Review…

    Owen Gleiberman

    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic

  • Though this often plays like a 70s cop show, it became a prototype for the bling-heavy gangsta melodramas of the 90s.

    October 30, 2007 | Full Review…

    J. R. Jones

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Filmmakers pull off a provocative, pulsating update on gangster pics with this action-laden epic about the rise and fall of an inner city crack dealer.

    October 30, 2007 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • It's a superior example of what used to be called blaxploitation, with Van Peebles piling on corruption and carnage for all he's worth.

    January 26, 2006 | Full Review…

    Geoff Andrew

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The movie was advertised (no doubt wisely) as a slam-bang action adventure, but in fact it's a serious, smart film with an impact that lingers after the lights go up.

    August 5, 2005 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • The film's use of once-imposing, now-crumbling New York architecture is particularly effective in underscoring the story with an air of widespread urban decay.

    May 20, 2003 | Rating: 4/5

    Janet Maslin

    New York Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (30)

Audience Reviews for New Jack City

  • Jul 15, 2012
    Given the drug-based cop drama/urban crime plot, the interracial partnership of the main cops, and the soundtrack being made up of contemporary urban (black) music, you could be forgiven for confusing this film with being a blaxploitation film. I mean, it IS directed by Mario Van Peebles, and there are some references to films from that genre, but surprisingly, it is not. Mostly because it's played straight, with only some humor, and no camp factor. It is definitely a b-movie, but a competently made high end one. Okay, so the main plot is pretty standard, with two mismatched cops having to team up to take down a powerful drug lord who has taken the streets prisoner with his ultra strong crack. It's still an enjoyable ride though, and it's quite stylish, with some actually pretty decent performances. Okay, so Judd Nelson is underused, but he's good when he's there. Wesley Snipes is fine, but I feel like he's just doing a VERY low-key and subtle take on Tony Montana. The stand outs are Ice-T who, still very much known for his anti-cop songs is great as a tough streetwise cop, and really gets his acting career off to a great start, though after this it wouldn't pick up again until he portrayed another cop on Law and Order: SVU. The other top prize goes to the outstanding Chris Rock, who gives an utterly memorable and gripping turn as an ill-fated ex-junkie turned informer. This is overall a really decent flick. It's ultimately nothing new, but very well played, and far better (both as a directorial debut and in general) than it could have been, so give it a shot.
    Chris W Super Reviewer
  • Nov 21, 2011
    If you ever want to start your own criminal empire, Learn the do's & dont's of the drug trade & become a drug kingpin then this is 1 movie you'll want to watch.I never realized how good of a movie New Jack City was until I watched it a couple days ago
    Brody M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 17, 2011
    A classic 90's New York City-based crime drama. Great acting performances by Wesley Snipes as the villain, Ice-T as the protagonist, and Chris Rock as a supporting character. A good, cultural look into the drug empire that emerged in the early decade in big cities across North America. The well-placed Gothic scenery and dark atmosphere should also be mentioned.
    Suneel J Super Reviewer
  • Jun 03, 2010
    Slightly dated drama about the rise of the crack epidemic in New York in the 80's, with Wesley Snipes as the crime lord pushing the stuff and Ice-T as the maverick cop who's going to bring him down. Lots of action keeps it lively..
    Lesley N Super Reviewer
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