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Watch Underground Kings
- 2017
- 1 hr 12 min
-
8.5 (23)
Underground Kings is a crime drama movie that was released in 2014. Directed by Skye Dennis, the movie stars Al Thompson, Brian Anthony Wilson, and John Canada Terrell in the lead roles. The film tells the story of a group of drug dealers who run a highly lucrative crack cocaine empire on the streets of Philadelphia. The movie is set in the early 1990s, during the peak of the crack epidemic in the United States. The main character, Sean (played by Al Thompson), is a smart, ambitious young man who sees an opportunity to make a lot of money by selling crack cocaine. Along with his childhood friend Ty (played by John Canada Terrell) and a small group of loyal associates, Sean sets out to build his own drug empire.
The movie starts off with a bang, showing a violent shootout between Sean's crew and a rival gang. From there, we see Sean and his crew working their way up the drug ladder, building connections with suppliers, and pushing their product on the streets. They deal with various challenges along the way, including police raids, rival gangs, and the ever-present threat of violence.
One of the key themes of Underground Kings is the idea of loyalty. Sean's crew is deeply loyal to him, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the business and keep the money flowing. However, as the business grows and becomes more complicated, tensions begin to rise within the group. Some of Sean's associates start to question his decisions, and the bonds of trust that they once shared begin to fray.
Another theme of the movie is the toll that the drug trade takes on both the dealers and the community at large. We see the effects of addiction and poverty on the streets of Philadelphia, as well as the corrupting influence of money on the characters in the movie. The film doesn't shy away from showing the devastating impact that the drug trade has on people's lives, both within and outside of Sean's crew.
In terms of performances, the three lead actors all deliver strong performances. Al Thompson is particularly effective as Sean, conveying both his charisma and his ruthlessness in equal measure. John Canada Terrell brings a quiet intensity to his role as Ty, while Brian Anthony Wilson is compelling as the older, more experienced drug dealer who takes Sean under his wing.
The movie is also notable for its realistic portrayal of the drug trade. The filmmakers clearly did their research, and the depiction of the various workings of the drug empire feels authentic and believable. From the street-level transactions to the higher-level negotiations, Underground Kings presents a convincing picture of how the drug trade operates.
One of the strengths of the movie is its pacing. The story moves along at a brisk clip, with plenty of action and suspense to keep the audience engaged. Even though the subject matter is dark, the film has a certain energy and momentum that makes it compelling to watch.
Overall, Underground Kings is a well-crafted crime drama that offers a gritty and realistic portrayal of the drug trade. The movie is anchored by strong performances from its lead actors and benefits from a fast-paced, engaging story. While it doesn't necessarily offer any new insights into the drug trade or crime genre as a whole, the film is nonetheless an effective and entertaining piece of filmmaking.
Underground Kings is a 2017 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.