Shottas

all time classic like SCARFACE, Menace 2 society, Belly if you like stuff like that youll love this

overall this was a nice piece of work as far as the cinematography acting scoring everything but the story was lacking, i mean as one reviewer said that it glorified murder and violence....well I mean they're right cause most the time I had no clue why someone was getting shot and killed, It was kind of like " yo mon i'm really coo mon..Imo jamacian gangsta mon..i shootz guys mon..im so so cooo mon"...... but it still was a pretty cool movie, everyone seemed real (probably were that way they didn't have to act just be themselves like john wayne) it had cool cars and cool soundtrack and nice camera work and lighting.

Anyone who grew up or spent any number of years in Jamaica or had close cultural exposure through parents\family should find this film very authentic and entertaining; especially if you are a fan of Dancehall Reggae and have familiarity with the contemporary culture. What I found most entertaining was the brash and flamboyant nature of the gangsters (a.ka "shottas") and the authenticity of the patios and each character.Louie Rankin (also in Belly w/DMX) is a hysterically funny and course gangster who played well against the intensions of Biggs(Kymani) and Wayne(Spragga). Spragga Benz was surprisingly engaging and executed a consistently cool "in control" demeanor, especially in the first half of the movie that was shot in Jamaica. Paul Campbell who played the character "Priest" in Dancehall Queen is excellent as the cool and deadly killer who adds a menacingly dark yet complimentary contrast to the mentality of the "shottas". Wyclef Jean, formerly of the Fugees plays a small but forgettable role as the Haitian contingency who supports Louie Rankin(Teddy Bruck Shut).The violence depicted in this movie is shocking(but not overly gory) in the way the gangsters\ "shottas" boldly embrace and aggressively execute their way of life with such minimalist concern for human life other than their own brethren. The plot develops very quickly but there are some gaping holes that make the film seem a bit unrealistic. The sub titles are helpful because if you are unfamiliar with Jamaican patios the movie will be hard to follow. However, the sub titles don't include all the dialogue. In my opinion this is will be a long time cult favorite.

But it bears repeating, this movie is not for everyone! Just looking at the cover graphics and the name you SHOULD know that this movie isn't some Hollywood high budget project but a gritty, low budget gem that has cultural relevance. If the watcher is from the suburbs they will find no character with which to relate, if the watcher has no Jamaican/Caribbean heritage they just aren't going to get it. What should not happen is the outright bashing of a film for which you have no understanding. I'll address a statement I read in a previous review. To paraphrase there was gratuitous violence without consequence. This statement is inherently incorrect. How one doesn't see death as a consequence of previous actions is beyond my realm of understanding. Notwithstanding others' opinions if the watcher grew up with similar experiences they will find characters that remind them of family and scenes that are a glimpse of home. RIP to the great Louie Rankin!!

People scoring this movie with only a couple stars and complaining that it is derivative of other movies are missing the point. There is no pretension that this movie is something original and new. The point is to examine the life of Jamaican shottas, which this movie does well.The quality of the acting is a pleasant surprise. Some of the main characters had no previous acting experience and do an admirable job. Louie Rankin, in particular, delivers a tremendous performance and is perfectly cast. Spragga also is excellent in the film. Although Ky-mani Marley gives a decent performance, there is something about the way he portrays his character that does not feel quite right. Hopefully in the sequel this aspect will be addressed.The soundtrack is essentially flawless. The selection of songs and the soundtrack, done by Stephen Marley, fit into the movie well.I would like to commend the director of Shottas, who also happens to be the writer of the story. The film is pieced together well, has the correct ambience from scene to scene, and is paced nicely in a way that does not get boring. There is also a fun addition of a little bit of comic relief from time to time that is placed well.Shottas is by no means a masterpiece, but it is highly entertaining. There are few films that I watch multiple times. Shottas is one of those few films that I watch over and over. If you want to see a solid action film with pounding reggae and a Jamaican backdrop then Shottas is for you.

Sorry to be the only negative review but personally, I thought the movie was gratuitously violent. Yes I know that this movie is as close to the real world of shottas as you can get. I am Jamaican and everything in this movie seems to be based on fact. It gives you a very good idea of shotta life-style from their point of view. All I'm saying that there was a lot of needless violence; violence put in to make the movie more gritty. A lot of people got shot in the head. Is this shotta life? Yes it is! It is important that we see the blood and brain matter to understand that he got shot in the head, no it isn't.Someone else mentioned that there should be a part 2 to this movie. I agree, make a part 2, but based on the underground success of this movie, how about a part 2 that shows more points of view? It would it interesting to explore how the shotta life affects his family. Does anyone remember the famous shotta who had a brother who was an English professor? Or how one gave his mother unlimited credit cards for Neiman Marcus in the States?I wanted to give this movie three stars but I have to give it four just for the yardies.

Interesting film starving Ky-Mani Marley shows the life of a child grew up in Jamaica emigrating to America, then being deported back to Jamaica where he meets with friends are (Shottas) in other words also known as gangsters. A lot of blood and gore a lot of swearing sexual scenes. Would not recommend this to teenagers and would not recommend it to friends and family. Very hard-core and can be disturbing.

Brilliant Jamaican gangsta movie. If you like Jamaican films (well then you've probably already seen it LOL) or you like gangster movies or action movies this is a brilliant film! Bob Marleys son K'yani Marley stars in it. Classic gangster movie! Brilliant soundtrack too!

Good movie

Great seller great dvd to watch

In luv with thiz movie a must see 4 all those who would watch a movie over & over again juz get it they don't make many like thiz anymore.