The dialogue is strongly peppered with slang terms that originated from the era. Words that we take for granted and almost mock nowadays; associating them with generic rap and hip hop. Phrases like “Word.”, “This shit is dope!”, “Yo, I think there’re mad cops around…”, and “PEACE OUT FOREVER!” (*cough* smell ya later) show us this isn’t just slang, it is the native tongue dialect of a peoples millions strong, be they black, white, yellow, or otherwise.

However, I do want to elaborate on a point that Amrit made regarding the music in this movie. Aside from getting a snippet of Brooklyn’s Finest (and Queen’s, and Staten Island’s, and Philly’s), if one watches and listens carefully enough, one can see how the music of the time can genuinely influence individuals, both in the movie and in reality as well.

When Shapiro starts to chop weed (’sell marijuana’ for you bourgeois readers), Biggie and Method Man’s “The What” plays as motivation, “Fuck the world / Don’t ask me for shit / And everything you get / you gotta work HAAAAARD for it.”, a song about being on one’s grind. Earning one’s success and happiness.

The movie’s intro featuring Nas’ “The World is Yours” eluded to one of the film’s deeper themes, preparing Luke to understand the world around him as he interacts with it, growing within it and beginning to master it.

Even Tribe’s “Can I Kick It?” is positively misconstrued by Dr. Squires as he attempts to ‘kick’ his own bad habits; what I believe to be a slight nod to having an open mind to music, cultures, and ideologies, and the benefits of improving oneself with this open mind.

This movie definitely deserves a watch or two, especially if you’re old enough to catch all the references and appreciate the humour in all the characters and situations (All I have to say is “Bump and Grind”). The Wackness has certainly helped me see the Dopeness in my own life, while also having a laugh or two.

I give it 3 z’s and a Half O.