Whether intentional or not, the release of the red band trailer for Straight Outta Compton, the biopic about N.W.A. comes at a great time. One day after the Grammy Awards, this provides a reminder of what music is capable of (“non-violent protest,” as Ice Cube puts it in the trailer’s introduction) and can truly accomplish.
Here is the full trailer for Straight Outta Compton, which contains language that isn’t safe for work.
The introduction from Dr. Dre and Ice Cube may indicate that this isn’t an objective retelling of the N.W.A. story, but it serves to put a stamp of authenticity on the material. Besides, aren’t those two entitled to a victory lap here?
Featuring the real-life figures at the beginning could be especially helpful when the film doesn’t star any notable names, other than Paul Giamatti, casting new, unfamiliar faces to play the legendary hip-hop group. (Though O’Shea Jackson sure looks like his father as Ice Cube.)One other intriguing note about that intro:
The B&W part of the STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON is what they were shooting when Suge Knight killed that guy. The trailer is legit, it turns out.
— Devin Faraci (@devincf) February 9, 2015
The film is directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday, The Italian Job). Straight Outta Compton hits theaters on Aug. 15.
