Watch The Stick Up Kids

The Stick Up Kids is a crime drama film released in 2008, directed by Hawthorne James. The movie follows four friends, get-rich-quick types who get involved in small-time robberies in their neighborhood. The main character, DeAndre (Tariq Alexander), is a high school basketball star who dreams of playing in college. However, his plans are derailed when his mother dies suddenly, leaving him as the sole provider for his younger siblings. Desperate for money, DeAndre turns to his friends for assistance and soon gets caught up in their criminal activities.

The group's first heist is successful, and they quickly become more ambitious, targeting more significant and riskier targets. However, their plans come to a halt when one of their robberies goes wrong, leaving them in possession of a valuable item that puts their lives in danger. The situation becomes even more complicated when the police become involved, and the group must navigate their way out of trouble without getting caught.

As the story unfolds, the movie delves into the friendship between the four young men and the challenges they face in their daily lives. Each of them has their motivations for getting involved in crime, and the movie explores the consequences of their choices. DeAndre's decision to participate in robberies is driven by his desire to provide for his siblings, but he also wants to help his friends. The group's leader, Dre (Mel Jackson), is motivated by a desire to make a lot of money quickly, while Marcus (Bryce Wilson) is looking for a way out of his dead-end job.

Alongside the primary story arc, there are also romantic subplots between DeAndre and his girlfriend, and Dre and his wife. The relationships add depth and complexity to the characters, showing their vulnerabilities and emotional struggles.

The Stick Up Kids is shot on location in Brooklyn, New York, which adds a gritty realism to the movie. The movie's visual style is reminiscent of early 2000s hip-hop music videos, with high-contrast lighting and stylized editing. Although the story is serious, the movie doesn't shy away from injecting humor into the situations. The witty banter between the characters gives the movie a lightheartedness that makes them more relatable.

Overall, The Stick Up Kids is a compelling and thrilling crime drama that explores the struggles of urban teenagers trying to make ends meet. The movie's engaging storyline, relatable characters, and impressive performances make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

The Stick Up Kids is a 2008 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.