Tony killed half to cartel, Cleo ain’t even hit Nair A Cop during her last stand lol Nah but FRFR Cleo is Iconic just like Tony! Her last stand is definitely one of the best gangsta scenes
I hated that SOOOO much ! OF ALL the damn places ? Couldn't drive out far at a empty landmark for them? Then the throwing of the CDs with Cleo's finger prints ...ughhh
@@jamelramseur I’m thinking they could’ve asked the gun dealer to find someone to rent a storage unit for them, or Cleo and her girlfriend could’ve pretended to break up and the girlfriend could’ve rented a storage unit under the pretense of moving out. It would’ve been risky but better than a vent at their job. Renting a safe deposit box at the airport or post office, and stopping to pose for the cameras and introduce themselves to TSA agents on their way out, might’ve been better than a vent at the job. Renting a spot in a community garden and burying it might’ve been better. They were so close!
Fun fact: Regina King, Rosie Perez, and Chilli from TLC auditioned for the roles in this film. I think about how this movie could have been nominated for an Oscar or an Oscar given to these women here (most specifically Queen Latifah and Vivica A. Fox). But then again, the Oscars never wants to acknowledge Black films that doesn’t have White saviors, trauma p*rn or slavery. A classic.
no one talks about the amount of courage it took for Queen Latifah to do this role... she had no idea how the hip-hop/rap world would take her really PLAYING this person... it could have been a complete wreck if she hadn't totally committed to BEING Cleo, in all her Glory... 🤩😍🥰
@@sadetwizelve I did NOT say anyone was hating her ... I said it took COURAGE for her to take and commit to the role b/c she didn't know HOW the world would react... why are you twisting my words?
Queen and her many talents and contributions dont get talked about enough. A great singer, talented rapper, actress, producer, owned her own production company, once had a top rate talk show that gave Oprah a run for her money until they changed the time slot...shes made HISTORY.
I don't think this role was that difficult for her, honestly. A lot of it is loosely pulled from her upbringing (minus the bank robbery aspect) in Jersey and established sexuality which was always there, and the industry was already probably aware of this, open secret style.
@@TheRetroWoman80 as an actor, I disagree... it would have been difficult precisely b/c it was so close to her life, plus the fact that I don't know that she has publically stated that she is gay to this day...
I just thought about it. Stoney tore up a check for 20K that was rightfully hers. 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
Рік тому+86
This! I guess she was trying to save her dignity. Cause you know Nate was gon be running behind her even more if she had spent it 😂. Me, I would've took that money and moved lmao
It was a loan. Unless she dipped out of town. She would have been under Nate's thumb forever. She wasn't making enough money to pay that off anytime soon.
I remember crying at the scene when Jada was crying at the end and looking back at all the good memories with her friends, I was happy she made it out but it came at a cost of her friends and brother's life which made the movie so deep in my eyes
Stoney saved Sexy Chocolate by calling him to meet her at the spot where they went for dinner. She made sure he wasn't there for the robbery and out of harms way.
Can you please do the Selena movie because the story of Selena, but also offers all opportunity to view the struggles of marginalised people- or the other- and the womanhood and culture.
@@arielbanks5557I don’t think that was a thing in the early 90s. If so, it was probably for community college, not UCLA. They weren’t dishing out student loans like candy either.
Greed was their downfall. Making tee tee go back was the difference between them getting out before the cops returned. Also, Frankie had a vendetta against that bank and pushed them to rob it knowing it hadn’t been done before. Also, would’ve set up for a great sequel if they were caught and they try to escape prison.
Honestly, they should have stopped after that second robbery. $75,000 in the mid 90s, which is when I think this movie takes place, is an equivalent to nearly $150,000...for each of them. I think that was enough money to disappear and have a decent life back then. At the very least, a great head start. Great review! I'm gonna watch this movie again!
Yeah stop there and hide it in a smarter place! Honestly they could have gotten a large safety deposit box. Once the bank employee lets you in, they leave you alone to handle your business. Smh.
My first “professional” job. 1995, just turned 23 and just passed my bar exam. $73,150. First house. 2,300sq ft, 1996 for $127k. House paid off in 2011 free and clear. Present day, house valued at $413k. That means if my wife and I sell it, or our kids sells it, it’s OUR money. $75k in the 90’s, if used correctly, could have set you up nicely. But, hood doesn’t think that way. They think present day struggles.
Remember when they are all sitting on top of Stony’s roof, and they are looking at the mill, and they are talking about how people working there used to make $15 an hour. $15 doesn’t sound like much now, because of inflation, but in the 90’s, $15 an hour would have been equivalent to $29 an hour today, which would have been $60,000 a year. Making $60,000 a year in the 90’s would have been phenomenal.
They *did* stop. They were planning to leave in three days, after TeeTee's court hearing. They only robbed another bank b/c Luther stole their money. In the words of Florida Evans: Damn, damn, DAMN!!!!
One lesson from this movie is who people associate will help or hurt you. Frankie knowing Darnell; Stoney’s brother getting that haircut didn’t do them no good. They’re not robbing for the heck of it. Their situations led them to that point.
Queen Latifah is the best rapper turn actor , she can do it all . Will smith may have the biggest blockbusters, however his usually fresh prince in all his movies . Queen literally disappears in her roles
TT didn’t deserve the money tho. She didn’t rob the bank and everyone else took the risk and she got the reward. She’s lucky that she got good friends cause I def wouldn’t have given her a cut.
She really didn’t deserve it but they were all close like sisters. They knew the bind she was in with cps. They loved her and the baby. Also she was there. If they would’ve gotten caught she would’ve went to jail too. So I think they pretty much gave her an A for effort lol
I would have given her some cuz who wants to see a struggling mother that’s your friend?? Also she was supposed to be a teen in the movie. Very innocent and naive.
@@dejstoney Very true. Here's a fun fact that not too many people know: R&B singer Brandy was supposed to play the role of T. T. Brandy refused the role because she didn't want to tarnish her family-friendly image. She had already started on her sitcom Moesha at this time, so I doubt that her fans would be okay with watching her on Moesha every week then seeing her in this movie as a bank robber.
I’m currently in grad school and I’m pretending franky is my client 😂, she getting therapy from me and I diagnosed her with ptsd , from being fired and watching somebody get shot right in front of her 🥴I also linked in the racism, the oppressive way she was treated during the whole altercation , her socioeconomic status, and How all of these things contributed to her poor societal treatment into two other classes Im taking , my professors are living for the fact that I pulled all that from this movie 😂
Has she not robbed the banks yet, did she get away, are you counseling her in prison, or is it the time in her life in between her firing & the potential robberies?
I made the mistake of seeing this movie the weekend before I started working at a bank. Kimberly Elise doesn't get enough credit for this performance given that it was her first professional acting job.
Funnily enough, Kimberly Elise was actually in a training video for a bank I worked for, playing a teller. I IMMEDIATELY started laughing when I saw her.
I remember going to see this in theaters and kept thinking of how much of an experience it was because of how cinematically advanced it is especially for that time, I believe this was the first black movie of its kind with epic directorial/camera work and the edits and soundtrack were the icing on top. F. Gary Gray really set the bar!
Can you please do the Selena movie because the story of Selena, but also offers all opportunity to view the struggles of marginalised people- or the other- and the womanhood and culture.
Yes indeed! I was like ten (I know 🙄) when I saw it in theaters, and that experience stays with me 27 years later. F Gary Gray deserves all the flowers!
I think when it came to Luther, he overheard them talking about the robbery. They seemed to love talking about what they are going to do at work. So he probably saw them had it, or say them go in with a bag, but didn’t have it when they left. It was a great film, but I always wondered how they didn’t get caught faster.
Stoney basically tore up more money (Nate’s check) than what she earned robbing the first bank. Could’ve split that $20k and never robbed any of them… 🤦🏽♂️
this movie TRAUMATIZED me as a child.😂 all I remember is sobbing uncontrollably watching this play on TV at my Gramma house, so I never rewatch it😆 but as always your commentary sparks a renewed passion for these movies, can't wait for the next vid sis
"Yeah, real, impression felt. You fine as freak too, give me yo number if you want a friend to love. Ion want no sex or nothing,just honest discussion,what's up. "
33:45 That scene when Cleo hands the grocery bags to her girlfriend then she tells her to, “Call the girls.” 😂😂😂 What was Ursula going to call them and do?…just breath on the phone because she didn’t talk. 😂 Idk, I always thought that little part was funny.
Set it off (1996 film) is a sequel to The little Mermaid (1989 film) where Ursula trades in her voice in order to become human. That is why Ursula in the movie Set It Off can't speak. She is in love with Cleo , the Queen Latifah character.
Queen Latifah has always been a powerhouse of an actress omg. I just feel like bingeing her entire filmography tbh. And truly Stony apologizing first when Cleo had a weapon on her cheek like?? That is something I do not get lmao. Like huh?? In fact, the slap was an _underreaction_ lol. And seeing the lovely Natalie Desselle reminds me that I'm due for a BAPS re-watch soon. Thanks for this recap!
8:44 - Remember when they are all sitting on top of Stony’s roof, and they are looking at the factory and they are talking about how people working there used to make $15 an hour. $15 doesn’t sound like much now, because of inflation, but in the 90’s, $15 an hour would be a salary of $60,000. That salary in the 90’s would have been phenomenal. That would have been approximately a salary of $118,500 in today’s world.
Those of us old enough to have seen this film in the theaters remember when Cleo died. I mean, you had GROWN NIGGAS in tears, including my boyfriend holding my Weeping Wanda ass. I was sobbing like Cleo was blood kin. And when that door popped back open? Screams like Halloween all throughout the theater.
Well, it was like the character she portrayed only knew so much, losing her brother (traumatic) she wasn't thinking 2 take legal action, she was in shock
Got with August, he was wanting her to rob another bank but she wasn’t with it & dumped him. All the stress made her hair fall out & now she’s about to film another season Red Table Takk from that cheap Mexican hotel…
Maybe Stoney could've given Tee-Tee the check that she got for her brother's tuition. I get that Luther got their money, but Cleo got too greedy during the final time. They could've left the money with Black Sam instead of at work. I would've thought they would've left it at Cleo's but the way she blew threw the first stack, it might not have been a good idea. I still wish they would've made it out or dipped right after the 2nd time.
That would have been impossible, since she tore up the check up, before t.t got her son taken away from her. You're right Cleo did get greedy. If they left early then T.t would have never got shot and they could have gotten away sooner.
I came across your “Baby Boy” commentary some weeks ago and began watching your other videos after that. I really like your commentary to all of these 90s and 2000s movies. I would really like to hear your commentary on “Why Did I Get Married?” and “Why Did I Get Married Too?”
GURLLLLLL, I'm in Puerto Rico. I have to watch this later with A STRONG margarita 😁🍹🍹🍹. Queen Latifah was GREAT in this movie and she does feminine and masculine roles very well . Thankyou 😊😊
When you pointed out their sloppy entrance for their first robbery 🤣 I noticed some movies, no matter how much I've watched them there's always something new to find. I have to rewatch this movie when I have time!
Me and my Sister LOVE what you’re doing with these reviews Sis🔥! We got suggestions BAPS, Harlem Nights, Coming to America, The Wiz, Light it up, Love and Basketball, Brown Sugar, The Best Man, The Wood, Boyz n the hood, Poetic Justice, and whatever else you do we here for it!
Sis, you have got to do The Players Club now after seeing ole dude in the bank, I was like yes I need a nostalgia video on that movie! Definitely a Hood Classic!!!
I'm surprised you didn't mention the part where Cleo was arrested and she told her no-talking girlfriend to "Call the girls". I would have loved to see her do that. 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😅
The rawest all black cast movie, with women. I find my self telling my pitbull Cleoooooo sit. I mean a lot of movie lines, still come to mind today. I’m talkin’ ain’t nobody gone stop me from talking! I need that money!!!! I’m in a bind Nate 😂
This is one of the reviews that i have been waiting for thank you so much. This is another movie i saw at the $1.50 movie theater. Lorenz low-key got Stevie killed by allowing his sister to give Stevie that haircut knowing he was wanted for that bank robbery. That bank robbery and the bank robberies in Jason's Lyric & Caught Up are the worst bank robberies in movie history. In my opinion Stony, Cleo, Frankie and Tee Tee would have been more successful if they used a different disguise for each bank robbery and worn bulletproof vests. Can we please reviews on the following movies that Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox & Kimberly Elise have been in: Menace II Society The Inkwell Jason's Lyric A Low Down Dirty Shame Hoodlum Beloved Why Do Fools Fall In Love The Ditch Digger's Daughters Kingdom Come Two Could Play That Game Juwanna Man Beauty Shop Diary Of A Mad Black Woman Woman Thou Art Loose Pride Girl's Trip
@@MissSimone02 I object. It least in Dead Presidents they got some money. Josh & Lyric messed up the bank robbery in Jason’s Lyric and no money was collected. Lorenz & them had no disguise or plan & Tripp from Caught Up didn’t have a plan either which led to him being killed & Darrell going to prison.
This is definitely a hood classic. Grab some brew and popcorn and it makes a great night. Tragically the actor who played Luther (Thomas Jefferson Byrd, a tony nominee and character actor in lot of 90s classics) was murdered back in 2020. R.I.P
One of my favorite movies of all time! To this day, I feel like this should have been nominated for at least four to five different Oscars, especially Queen Latifah.
"Yeah,real me too. I wouldn't say Oscar, but a best supporting role or something, she was great as freak in this movie. She one of the greatest, aye and you beautiful as freak ma ma. Want you give me yo number if you want a friend to love. Ouuuuuu what's up????"
I was fired from my neighborhood family dollar store after one of the guys in the neighborhood robbed the store while I was the assistant manager on duty. He'd come into the store on a regular basis and the day of the robbery we were on camera having an extensive conversation. Although they didn't know how well i knew the young man, the fact that he was a regular customer and an "accquantaince" of mine it looked like I had something to do with it. During the robbery, I recognized him and I asked him if it was a joke?! Because I couldn't believe he was serious. Not to mention he robbed the store on foot! SMH that's how close we lived to the store, my house was literally 2 blocks away so i would walk to work as well. But unfortunately I was fired shortly after the robbery once they suspected that I knew him well enough to identify him, sad part is i didn't even know him for real! He lived in the neighborhood, we shopped at the same stores, I never even knew his name!
My question is why stoney didn't get no type of settlement or file a law suite for the wrongful death of her brother by the LAPD? she wouldn't have had to rob no bank ijs. Lol
Because this was the 90s and it was LAPD, nobody believed in police brutality and them being liable for death the same as today. The public would have accepted the cops saying they were in fear of their life and being in the right to pull their weapons.
This was the 90s. High profile cases of police brutality: Rodney King, Amador Diallo, etc. Presidents Bush and Clinton demonizing poor Black folks. Suing the police dept was a pipe dream.
I know it's not very fashionable to give flowers to jada pinkett right now.... but despite Queen Latifah being absolutely incredible as Cleo we can't say she carried the film because Jada was stellar as Stony. Her best role ever
"I was gonna say that. I'mma say Jada carried it, then Vivica, then Cleo,then Ti ti. I like chubby girls the best, I was in love with Queen, all of them fine. Big girl off baps was my lil sweety baby too. If I could wax Queen nice and slow in anotherife and have bout 2 kids with her, I shol would,that shol would be nice. I like the scene where she shot the gun and them titties 😂😂😂😂😂😭😭😭 was jiggling and jumping, as a baby watching I was a loss for words, in my teens high as FREEK, I was like ummmmmmmmm hummmmmmmmm. Lol,lol Queen the baddest cover girl ever. Happy for whoever get to lay her down in real life, if she ever go back straight. "
I remember when I saw Set It Off at the movies when I was a teen. I can still remember people's relations to certain scenes. It so sad they don't make movies like this no more.
Just rewatched this last night ironically, but I think everyone in this movie played their role amazingly! It really felt like a real friendship….I also love how they all had distinct personalities in the friend group and the Ending will forever make me cry 😥 one of my favorite movies
They messed up a few times. Leaving the money in the vent was dumb. Going to confront Luther without any muscle. They should've took Black Sam because they knew he got a gun cause Sam said he came and saw him. Also, for the last robbery, why wasn't Frankie inside and Cleo driving? That 10 seconds TT went back to get more money got them caught. I'm with you. Stoney should've never left sexy chocolate. Great review.
Watching this made me emotional all over again! This movie was just way too emotional!!! It was so sad. And Stony’s face at the end on that bus! Gets me every time.
No doubt about it EVERYBODY cried when Cleo went out like that! I always noticed the part when she told Teetee to go back and get more money-that really was the downfall. And Frankie & Stony should have stayed together and got on that bus. They wouldn’t have found them, she ran right to the bus station smh. Anywhoooo good review! Wow I’m loving them I’ve binged three so far! I also love how your channel is growing too I remember when I first watched your review on Soul Food 😂 I’d love to see more, can you do Dreamgirls?
This was the first adult movie I saw as a child & I love it, such a good classic.. Ugh, this movie has so many layers & you ate that so well. Blair Underwood was so damn fine when he wasnt a 90s villain. I recommend the movie G after watching how you did this.
This movie was released when I was a kid in Cameroon, West Africa. That movie was so successful it stayed about 6months in the theatre. Went to see It at least 3 times with my cousins.
I love how you’re accurately describing the movie chronically while also giving your honest opinions. This channel is so done and I’m glad I found you! Keep up the amazing work and quality!!
I think Luther found the money while inspecting the vents. Even though sexy chocolate didn't snitch on Stony, his White co worker might. Remember, the White coworker met Stony twice. At the bank & at the party.
The BEST on screen love that never could be. That brother was SO fine, he could have changed her life for the better but she was down for her girls. That obligation to what’s no longer serving you is real. I always hoped that he found her.
I wish Stony would have been able to sue to the police department. They said it themselves that they killed an innocent man. She could’ve gotten a settlement.
The fact that Queen Latifah, as graceful as she is, can play someone as rough as Cleo is why I have no choice but to stan 👏🏾 Edit: the security officer firing out of the blue was reckless and dangerous as hell because not only could he have hit the detectives, but he had to have known they had the situation under control. If he didn’t die, he should’ve gotten fired 100%
I cried just as hard during Cleo's last scene. As soon as she lights the cigarette that song comes on I start crying so hard. Every single time. I've watched this movie so many times. I don't even like to watch reruns of anything but i could watch this movie over and over
It's crazy how you mentioned that scene which reminded you of the intro from "The Writing's On The Wall" by Destiny's Child because that was my CD back in the day even in 2024 I still love that album.
So....while I'm late to this , why did they decide to rob the most difficult bank near the end? They could have stuck with something small or less in the public eye.
I couldn't watch this again after seeing Cleo die like that it hurt me the acting really was top tier definitely should've been nominated for an Oscar all.of these actresses are over due for an Oscar in my opinion
*Set It Off* remains one of my all time favorite movies ever. Perfect casting, directing, music, acting, everything! Queen Latifah should have gotten an Oscar nomination for her role because all these years later, it is still one of the single most dynamic portrayals ever done. Also, *Set It Off* was Natalie Desselle's first movie! I miss her so much. Natalie and I were in college together at Grambling State University. She was my soror, too; we were line sisters, and partners in Theatre Guild. God rest her beautiful soul. 🥰
Cleo's death scene is the most gangsta scene in movie history.
It made Scarface look like he died from a paper cut
Tony killed half to cartel, Cleo ain’t even hit Nair A Cop during her last stand lol
Nah but FRFR Cleo is Iconic just like Tony! Her last stand is definitely one of the best gangsta scenes
@@chrismonroe4985Who is Nair A Cop?
@@chrismonroe4985gangster not mafia boss
I've watched it a ton of times
Looking back WHY did they hide it at their job?! 75k a piece and nobody thought to purchase a safe????
That was their downfall. Like no other place? I was so irritated watching them do that.
Question is even if they did purchase a safe, where exactly were they going to put it?
I hated that SOOOO much ! OF ALL the damn places ? Couldn't drive out far at a empty landmark for them? Then the throwing of the CDs with Cleo's finger prints ...ughhh
@@jamelramseur I’m thinking they could’ve asked the gun dealer to find someone to rent a storage unit for them, or Cleo and her girlfriend could’ve pretended to break up and the girlfriend could’ve rented a storage unit under the pretense of moving out.
It would’ve been risky but better than a vent at their job. Renting a safe deposit box at the airport or post office, and stopping to pose for the cameras and introduce themselves to TSA agents on their way out, might’ve been better than a vent at the job. Renting a spot in a community garden and burying it might’ve been better. They were so close!
Ain’t no way I would have kept my cut child. Cuz I never trusted Luther slimy ahh from Jump
She had fresh blood on her and they couldn't wait to fire her. No empathy. No compassion.
Should've sued them
Fun fact: Regina King, Rosie Perez, and Chilli from TLC auditioned for the roles in this film.
I think about how this movie could have been nominated for an Oscar or an Oscar given to these women here (most specifically Queen Latifah and Vivica A. Fox). But then again, the Oscars never wants to acknowledge Black films that doesn’t have White saviors, trauma p*rn or slavery. A classic.
Who we are going to refer to as SEXY CHOCOLATE! I died 😂😂😂😂
I'm so tired of slave movies. I swear on my soul I'm sick of them! 😂😂😂
Glad it wasn’t Rosie ass she gets on my nerves
I'm glad 4 BLACK women got the role nowadays they would add in another person of a different race in the mix.
Chilli acting in this movie would have been interesting to see
Kimberly Elise has ALWAYS played these emotional ass roles and BODIES THEM ALL!
She’s the eternal victim.
Yes
no one talks about the amount of courage it took for Queen Latifah to do this role... she had no idea how the hip-hop/rap world would take her really PLAYING this person... it could have been a complete wreck if she hadn't totally committed to BEING Cleo, in all her Glory... 🤩😍🥰
@@sadetwizelve I did NOT say anyone was hating her ... I said it took COURAGE for her to take and commit to the role b/c she didn't know HOW the world would react... why are you twisting my words?
Queen and her many talents and contributions dont get talked about enough. A great singer, talented rapper, actress, producer, owned her own production company, once had a top rate talk show that gave Oprah a run for her money until they changed the time slot...shes made HISTORY.
I don't think this role was that difficult for her, honestly. A lot of it is loosely pulled from her upbringing (minus the bank robbery aspect) in Jersey and established sexuality which was always there, and the industry was already probably aware of this, open secret style.
I'm sure nobody in the rap community was shocked by this role 😆
@@TheRetroWoman80 as an actor, I disagree... it would have been difficult precisely b/c it was so close to her life, plus the fact that I don't know that she has publically stated that she is gay to this day...
I just thought about it. Stoney tore up a check for 20K that was rightfully hers. 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
This! I guess she was trying to save her dignity. Cause you know Nate was gon be running behind her even more if she had spent it 😂. Me, I would've took that money and moved lmao
It wasn't rightfully hers. She fukked for it.
She basically tore up more money than what she earned robbing the first bank. Could’ve split that $20k and never robbed any of them… 🤦🏽♂️
Right. Just dumb asf. These women were too emotional to think straight about consequences.
It was a loan. Unless she dipped out of town. She would have been under Nate's thumb forever. She wasn't making enough money to pay that off anytime soon.
I think it’s time to give F. Gary Gray his flowers. “Friday,” “Set it Off,” “The Negotiator,” he doesn’t miss.
I agree. He was in Coming To America.
Him and the Hughes brothers dont get enough credit.
@@forthenostalgia Robert Townsend doesn’t get enough credit either.
@@therealmarlonbellamy facts. I love Robert ❤
@@smilealwaysnatasha3423 The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies.
I remember crying at the scene when Jada was crying at the end and looking back at all the good memories with her friends, I was happy she made it out but it came at a cost of her friends and brother's life which made the movie so deep in my eyes
Literally that scene gets me every time then Brandy don’t make it no better singing in the background 😂
This!!! I cried like it was my brother and my bffs, I swear! And when Frankie was fired at the bank. Her emotions were really portrayed so well, too.
@@LocsRUs nah fr they had brandy, tamia, gladys knight, AND chaka khan on that track. they were tryna make us bawl 😭😭
Not only was she alone, Stoney would probably be on the run for the rest of her life. Tragic.
Her brother’s life had nothing to do with her.
But her participation in the robbers certainly did.
Stoney saved Sexy Chocolate by calling him to meet her at the spot where they went for dinner. She made sure he wasn't there for the robbery and out of harms way.
Because she knew her cover would've been blown.
Also, she saved him from being in _the exact same position as Frankie was_ in the initial bank robbery that set everything in motion.
Well was he actually scheduled to work that day or was it his lunch break?
Queen Latifah played tf out of this roll 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. I still can’t watch this without crying though.
*role
Its that song that gets me every time...
Sameeee
Can you please do the Selena movie because the story of Selena, but also offers all opportunity to view the struggles of marginalised people- or the other- and the womanhood and culture.
The saddest movie death in Cinema 🎦 history!! 💯
“Baby, that’s what FAFSA’s for!” 🤣😂🤣
💯
Did they even have that back then??
@@arielbanks5557I don’t think that was a thing in the early 90s. If so, it was probably for community college, not UCLA. They weren’t dishing out student loans like candy either.
💀💀💀
Greed was their downfall. Making tee tee go back was the difference between them getting out before the cops returned. Also, Frankie had a vendetta against that bank and pushed them to rob it knowing it hadn’t been done before.
Also, would’ve set up for a great sequel if they were caught and they try to escape prison.
Spot on
Honestly, they should have stopped after that second robbery. $75,000 in the mid 90s, which is when I think this movie takes place, is an equivalent to nearly $150,000...for each of them. I think that was enough money to disappear and have a decent life back then. At the very least, a great head start. Great review! I'm gonna watch this movie again!
Yeah stop there and hide it in a smarter place! Honestly they could have gotten a large safety deposit box. Once the bank employee lets you in, they leave you alone to handle your business. Smh.
My first “professional” job. 1995, just turned 23 and just passed my bar exam. $73,150. First house. 2,300sq ft, 1996 for $127k. House paid off in 2011 free and clear.
Present day, house valued at $413k. That means if my wife and I sell it, or our kids sells it, it’s OUR money. $75k in the 90’s, if used correctly, could have set you up nicely. But, hood doesn’t think that way. They think present day struggles.
Luther stole that money.
Remember when they are all sitting on top of Stony’s roof, and they are looking at the mill, and they are talking about how people working there used to make $15 an hour. $15 doesn’t sound like much now, because of inflation, but in the 90’s, $15 an hour would have been equivalent to $29 an hour today, which would have been $60,000 a year. Making $60,000 a year in the 90’s would have been phenomenal.
They *did* stop. They were planning to leave in three days, after TeeTee's court hearing. They only robbed another bank b/c Luther stole their money. In the words of Florida Evans: Damn, damn, DAMN!!!!
One lesson from this movie is who people associate will help or hurt you. Frankie knowing Darnell; Stoney’s brother getting that haircut didn’t do them no good. They’re not robbing for the heck of it. Their situations led them to that point.
Right....they were not naive to the streets. They just decided to get down with the streets, circumstancially.
Queen Latifah is the best rapper turn actor , she can do it all . Will smith may have the biggest blockbusters, however his usually fresh prince in all his movies . Queen literally disappears in her roles
Shes so dope!!
Tupac would have been if he didn't die so young
Ice Cube & Method Man are the list to
❤
💯
The fact they hid it at their job with the kind of boss they had…. When I first watched it I already knew that the operation was a damn wrap 💀
The women hiding the money at their job wasn't a smart move and they knew how greedy and slimy Luther was.
It was super dumb but I guess thats the only way the writer could build a bridge to the climax lol
TT didn’t deserve the money tho. She didn’t rob the bank and everyone else took the risk and she got the reward. She’s lucky that she got good friends cause I def wouldn’t have given her a cut.
I say this ALL THE TIME 👏🏾👏🏾
She really didn’t deserve it but they were all close like sisters. They knew the bind she was in with cps. They loved her and the baby. Also she was there. If they would’ve gotten caught she would’ve went to jail too. So I think they pretty much gave her an A for effort lol
I would have given her some cuz who wants to see a struggling mother that’s your friend?? Also she was supposed to be a teen in the movie. Very innocent and naive.
@@dejstoney Very true. Here's a fun fact that not too many people know: R&B singer Brandy was supposed to play the role of T. T. Brandy refused the role because she didn't want to tarnish her family-friendly image. She had already started on her sitcom Moesha at this time, so I doubt that her fans would be okay with watching her on Moesha every week then seeing her in this movie as a bank robber.
They didnt really have much of a choice unless they planned on k*lling her because she definitely would have told the police. I know I would lol
I’m currently in grad school and I’m pretending franky is my client 😂, she getting therapy from me and I diagnosed her with ptsd , from being fired and watching somebody get shot right in front of her 🥴I also linked in the racism, the oppressive way she was treated during the whole altercation , her socioeconomic status, and How all of these things contributed to her poor societal treatment into two other classes Im taking , my professors are living for the fact that I pulled all that from this movie 😂
I’m living too!! That’s dope 😂
@@Enhancedbybritt no lie this is so fun 😂😂 , im at the stage where she is phasing out of treatment so I have to create a discharge plan 😂
Has she not robbed the banks yet, did she get away, are you counseling her in prison, or is it the time in her life in between her firing & the potential robberies?
Love this
Actually, that’s all pretty fucking accurately
I made the mistake of seeing this movie the weekend before I started working at a bank. Kimberly Elise doesn't get enough credit for this performance given that it was her first professional acting job.
Right? She is definitely a great actress. She usually plays dramatic roles 🙌🏽🙌🏽
Funnily enough, Kimberly Elise was actually in a training video for a bank I worked for, playing a teller. I IMMEDIATELY started laughing when I saw her.
She did great❤
I remember going to see this in theaters and kept thinking of how much of an experience it was because of how cinematically advanced it is especially for that time, I believe this was the first black movie of its kind with epic directorial/camera work and the edits and soundtrack were the icing on top. F. Gary Gray really set the bar!
Yes, it was a big deal. Especially with Queen playing a character like Cleo.
Can you please do the Selena movie because the story of Selena, but also offers all opportunity to view the struggles of marginalised people- or the other- and the womanhood and culture.
Yes indeed! I was like ten (I know 🙄) when I saw it in theaters, and that experience stays with me 27 years later. F Gary Gray deserves all the flowers!
That female cop was such as a#$-kisser!
Especially coming from the TV show Roc
Maturing is realizing Stony should’ve stopped robbing banks and stayed with sexy chocolate.
She also didn't want to let her childhood friends down for a man that she met 5 minutes ago, even though she wanted to.
He didn't understand her struggles...but she did call him😂
I think when it came to Luther, he overheard them talking about the robbery. They seemed to love talking about what they are going to do at work. So he probably saw them had it, or say them go in with a bag, but didn’t have it when they left. It was a great film, but I always wondered how they didn’t get caught faster.
I think there had to be cameras, otherwise he would’ve had a hard time finding where the money was hidden
Yea they were talking so loud like this could’ve been done at one of their apartments behind closed doors
It was blocking the vent. He obviously had to see what was causing the problem.
One of the rare movies where everything works: actresses, direction, set pieces, cinematography, writing, soundtrack
Stoney basically tore up more money (Nate’s check) than what she earned robbing the first bank. Could’ve split that $20k and never robbed any of them… 🤦🏽♂️
Right
EXACTLY! I'm glad someone else noticed that and pointed it out!
She definitely earned it
Damn! FACTZ!
He wrote a check for 20k???? I dont think so....
this movie TRAUMATIZED me as a child.😂 all I remember is sobbing uncontrollably watching this play on TV at my Gramma house, so I never rewatch it😆 but as always your commentary sparks a renewed passion for these movies, can't wait for the next vid sis
"Yeah, real, impression felt. You fine as freak too, give me yo number if you want a friend to love. Ion want no sex or nothing,just honest discussion,what's up. "
40:15
It ain't even the song for me. It's when Cleo hit the switch on the hydraulics....
We knew it was over 😢
When she was crying lighting her last cigarette I always cry with her❤
& when she did that all the cops cocked their guns lol the whole scene was a cinematic masterpiece.
33:45 That scene when Cleo hands the grocery bags to her girlfriend then she tells her to, “Call the girls.” 😂😂😂 What was Ursula going to call them and do?…just breath on the phone because she didn’t talk. 😂 Idk, I always thought that little part was funny.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Set it off (1996 film) is a sequel to The little Mermaid (1989 film) where Ursula trades in her voice in order to become human. That is why Ursula in the movie Set It Off can't speak. She is in love with Cleo , the Queen Latifah character.
Queen Latifah has always been a powerhouse of an actress omg. I just feel like bingeing her entire filmography tbh. And truly Stony apologizing first when Cleo had a weapon on her cheek like?? That is something I do not get lmao. Like huh?? In fact, the slap was an _underreaction_ lol. And seeing the lovely Natalie Desselle reminds me that I'm due for a BAPS re-watch soon. Thanks for this recap!
8:44 - Remember when they are all sitting on top of Stony’s roof, and they are looking at the factory and they are talking about how people working there used to make $15 an hour. $15 doesn’t sound like much now, because of inflation, but in the 90’s, $15 an hour would be a salary of $60,000. That salary in the 90’s would have been phenomenal. That would have been approximately a salary of $118,500 in today’s world.
A lot of us now would be in that factory living decent
Exactly. Seattle got $15 minimum wage ten years ago--20 years after this movie came out-and only a handful more states have passed it since then.
Those of us old enough to have seen this film in the theaters remember when Cleo died. I mean, you had GROWN NIGGAS in tears, including my boyfriend holding my Weeping Wanda ass. I was sobbing like Cleo was blood kin. And when that door popped back open? Screams like Halloween all throughout the theater.
"What's it gon-na beeee, cause I can't preteeeend!"
"DONT YOU WANNA BE, MORE THAN FRIENNNNNNNDSSSSS"
Now hold me tight and don't let go-oooo
Don't let gooooooooo!!! ❤
You have the right to lose contro-ol
@@PHSDM104 If knowing the assignment was a group chat ❤️
I Will Never Understand Why Stoney Didn't Just Sue The Police Department...
Well, it was like the character she portrayed only knew so much, losing her brother (traumatic) she wasn't thinking 2 take legal action, she was in shock
And we all know that stoney made it all the way to Gotham City, changed her name to Fish Mooney and the rest is history.
😂😂😂
This the one!
Got with August, he was wanting her to rob another bank but she wasn’t with it & dumped him. All the stress made her hair fall out & now she’s about to film another season Red Table Takk from that cheap Mexican hotel…
@@thrillwillent 🤣🤣🤣
That would make a really great origin story
Brandy was supposed to play Titi but her mother/manager said no.
I’m happy she said no. She was a child in the 90’s & would’ve been weird for her kid friendly image
@@phillinsogoodexactly. Her mom made the right choice
Good
Idk why it took me so long to realize that her brother was trying to move the wine bottle out his jacket so he could lay flat on the ground.
Aweee
Frankie’s character is so underrated. Vivica played the hell out that role!
YES SHE DID & imo she should've had fine Blair Underwood from the bank❤
Maybe Stoney could've given Tee-Tee the check that she got for her brother's tuition. I get that Luther got their money, but Cleo got too greedy during the final time. They could've left the money with Black Sam instead of at work. I would've thought they would've left it at Cleo's but the way she blew threw the first stack, it might not have been a good idea. I still wish they would've made it out or dipped right after the 2nd time.
Leaving it with Black Sam woulda been risky as well, with all his goons and the fact that Cleo already owed him money
That would have been impossible, since she tore up the check up, before t.t got her son taken away from her. You're right Cleo did get greedy. If they left early then T.t would have never got shot and they could have gotten away sooner.
I came across your “Baby Boy” commentary some weeks ago and began watching your other videos after that. I really like your commentary to all of these 90s and 2000s movies. I would really like to hear your commentary on “Why Did I Get Married?” and “Why Did I Get Married Too?”
GURLLLLLL, I'm in Puerto Rico. I have to watch this later with A STRONG margarita 😁🍹🍹🍹. Queen Latifah was GREAT in this movie and she does feminine and masculine roles very well . Thankyou 😊😊
She really does. Shes awesome in this...
@@forthenostalgia Yes she was.😊q
YES❤
When you pointed out their sloppy entrance for their first robbery 🤣 I noticed some movies, no matter how much I've watched them there's always something new to find. I have to rewatch this movie when I have time!
"Sexy chocolate" dodged a bullet
In more ways than one....
Facts
L
Me and my Sister LOVE what you’re doing with these reviews Sis🔥! We got suggestions BAPS, Harlem Nights, Coming to America, The Wiz, Light it up, Love and Basketball, Brown Sugar, The Best Man, The Wood, Boyz n the hood, Poetic Justice, and whatever else you do we here for it!
Yes please do Poetic Justice & B.A.P.S Two of my favorite movies 💕✨
Thank you😊 Great suggestions.
Sis, you have got to do The Players Club now after seeing ole dude in the bank, I was like yes I need a nostalgia video on that movie! Definitely a Hood Classic!!!
Yes she has to do the players club and Friday
My mans wave game was looking ELITE!!!!!
SUPERIOR!!! 🤌🏽🌊
QUITE!
YES! THE WAVES WERE WAVINGGGG❤😂
Cleo death scene was literally the best movie death to date. Only comparison was tony montanas but it still ain’t hit the same
Another good was Denzel in Training Day.
Nino Brown - New Jack City
Yes! Along wit tony montana😂❤
At least Tony killed half of the Cartel in his last stand Glen was gunned down
I'm surprised you didn't mention the part where Cleo was arrested and she told her no-talking girlfriend to "Call the girls".
I would have loved to see her do that. 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😅
Blair Underwood is still fine af....
It's always irritated me how the black female police officer just stood there while Frankie was being interrogated like that.
The rawest all black cast movie, with women. I find my self telling my pitbull Cleoooooo sit.
I mean a lot of movie lines, still come to mind today.
I’m talkin’ ain’t nobody gone stop me from talking!
I need that money!!!!
I’m in a bind Nate 😂
"I...gotttt...Moneyyyy!!!!"
As child seeing this soon as I heard that “ Day after day…..” I broke down that song just made that moment so much sadder that scene was perfect
That one line still triggers me 😢
This is one of the reviews that i have been waiting for thank you so much. This is another movie i saw at the $1.50 movie theater. Lorenz low-key got Stevie killed by allowing his sister to give Stevie that haircut knowing he was wanted for that bank robbery. That bank robbery and the bank robberies in Jason's Lyric & Caught Up are the worst bank robberies in movie history. In my opinion Stony, Cleo, Frankie and Tee Tee would have been more successful if they used a different disguise for each bank robbery and worn bulletproof vests. Can we please reviews on the following movies that Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox & Kimberly Elise have been in:
Menace II Society
The Inkwell
Jason's Lyric
A Low Down Dirty Shame
Hoodlum
Beloved
Why Do Fools Fall In Love
The Ditch Digger's Daughters
Kingdom Come
Two Could Play That Game
Juwanna Man
Beauty Shop
Diary Of A Mad Black Woman
Woman Thou Art Loose
Pride
Girl's Trip
The Inkwell!!!! sooooo under-seen!! 🤩🤩😍😍🥰🥰
@@ginahouston9352 It's a hidden gem. It was streaming on BET plus last year.
Hoodlum is a classic.
Nah the worst hood movie robbery was Dead Presidents!
@@MissSimone02 I object. It least in Dead Presidents they got some money. Josh & Lyric messed up the bank robbery in Jason’s Lyric and no money was collected. Lorenz & them had no disguise or plan & Tripp from Caught Up didn’t have a plan either which led to him being killed & Darrell going to prison.
The first Queen Latifah movie I ever saw 🙌🏾 such a classic
Watching Queen Latifah in this made me realize I was pansexual. 😊
“What was she combing?” 😭😂
This is definitely a hood classic. Grab some brew and popcorn and it makes a great night. Tragically the actor who played Luther (Thomas Jefferson Byrd, a tony nominee and character actor in lot of 90s classics) was murdered back in 2020. R.I.P
Cleo DEFINITELY went out like a G. no questions about it
One of my favorite movies of all time! To this day, I feel like this should have been nominated for at least four to five different Oscars, especially Queen Latifah.
"Yeah,real me too. I wouldn't say Oscar, but a best supporting role or something, she was great as freak in this movie. She one of the greatest, aye and you beautiful as freak ma ma. Want you give me yo number if you want a friend to love. Ouuuuuu what's up????"
I was fired from my neighborhood family dollar store after one of the guys in the neighborhood robbed the store while I was the assistant manager on duty. He'd come into the store on a regular basis and the day of the robbery we were on camera having an extensive conversation. Although they didn't know how well i knew the young man, the fact that he was a regular customer and an "accquantaince" of mine it looked like I had something to do with it. During the robbery, I recognized him and I asked him if it was a joke?! Because I couldn't believe he was serious. Not to mention he robbed the store on foot! SMH that's how close we lived to the store, my house was literally 2 blocks away so i would walk to work as well. But unfortunately I was fired shortly after the robbery once they suspected that I knew him well enough to identify him, sad part is i didn't even know him for real! He lived in the neighborhood, we shopped at the same stores, I never even knew his name!
Hopefully everything working out for you now ❤
That is messed up you could have sued Family Dollar!
That's messed up.
My question is why stoney didn't get no type of settlement or file a law suite for the wrongful death of her brother by the LAPD? she wouldn't have had to rob no bank ijs. Lol
I agree. But they are in poverty and was ignorant to the justice system. She probably didn’t know that was a thing.
Because this was the 90s and it was LAPD, nobody believed in police brutality and them being liable for death the same as today.
The public would have accepted the cops saying they were in fear of their life and being in the right to pull their weapons.
Idk. Qtna
This was the 90s. High profile cases of police brutality: Rodney King, Amador Diallo, etc. Presidents Bush and Clinton demonizing poor Black folks. Suing the police dept was a pipe dream.
True. and Frankie should've got paid after suing the bank for firing her on some BS
I know it's not very fashionable to give flowers to jada pinkett right now.... but despite Queen Latifah being absolutely incredible as Cleo we can't say she carried the film because Jada was stellar as Stony. Her best role ever
AGREED.I was in love with Titi when I first saw this movie,Titi was-FINE. LOL.
"I was gonna say that. I'mma say Jada carried it, then Vivica, then Cleo,then Ti ti. I like chubby girls the best, I was in love with Queen, all of them fine. Big girl off baps was my lil sweety baby too. If I could wax Queen nice and slow in anotherife and have bout 2 kids with her, I shol would,that shol would be nice. I like the scene where she shot the gun and them titties 😂😂😂😂😂😭😭😭 was jiggling and jumping, as a baby watching I was a loss for words, in my teens high as FREEK, I was like ummmmmmmmm hummmmmmmmm. Lol,lol Queen the baddest cover girl ever. Happy for whoever get to lay her down in real life, if she ever go back straight. "
I remember when I saw Set It Off at the movies when I was a teen. I can still remember people's relations to certain scenes. It so sad they don't make movies like this no more.
To this day, I still have a hard time watching Cleo's death scene
💯
I’m sorry but when she put her car in gear and did the dip, I couldn’t help but laugh! 😂😂😂
Just rewatched this last night ironically, but I think everyone in this movie played their role amazingly! It really felt like a real friendship….I also love how they all had distinct personalities in the friend group and the Ending will forever make me cry 😥 one of my favorite movies
Cleo is so funny when she was threatening that prostitute 😂😂😂
i thought you were talking bout stoney😂
ICONIC!!! One of the first movies that made me cry like a baby as a kid watching their deaths.
They messed up a few times. Leaving the money in the vent was dumb. Going to confront Luther without any muscle. They should've took Black Sam because they knew he got a gun cause Sam said he came and saw him. Also, for the last robbery, why wasn't Frankie inside and Cleo driving? That 10 seconds TT went back to get more money got them caught. I'm with you. Stoney should've never left sexy chocolate. Great review.
Girl when I say Blair Underwood was so fine in this movie!! Baby boy was foine ok lol
LORD YESSSSSSSSSSSS❤
Watching this made me emotional all over again! This movie was just way too emotional!!! It was so sad. And Stony’s face at the end on that bus! Gets me every time.
Same😢
No doubt about it EVERYBODY cried when Cleo went out like that! I always noticed the part when she told Teetee to go back and get more money-that really was the downfall. And Frankie & Stony should have stayed together and got on that bus. They wouldn’t have found them, she ran right to the bus station smh. Anywhoooo good review! Wow I’m loving them I’ve binged three so far! I also love how your channel is growing too I remember when I first watched your review on Soul Food 😂 I’d love to see more, can you do Dreamgirls?
i don’t skip ads on your vids…that’s how much i love your channel lol!
Thank you 😊
I haven’t seen this movie in a minute. An oldie but goodie. Shtttt you’re about to make me find it on one of these streaming platforms and dig in lol
Its on HBO max
This was the first adult movie I saw as a child & I love it, such a good classic.. Ugh, this movie has so many layers & you ate that so well.
Blair Underwood was so damn fine when he wasnt a 90s villain. I recommend the movie G after watching how you did this.
Same here
This movie was released when I was a kid in Cameroon, West Africa.
That movie was so successful it stayed about 6months in the theatre.
Went to see It at least 3 times with my cousins.
I love how you’re accurately describing the movie chronically while also giving your honest opinions. This channel is so done and I’m glad I found you! Keep up the amazing work and quality!!
Thank you so much for reviewing this. I still love this movie
Please do a B.A.P.S. review RIP Natalie D.❤
I think Luther found the money while inspecting the vents. Even though sexy chocolate didn't snitch on Stony, his White co worker might. Remember, the White coworker met Stony twice. At the bank & at the party.
Ooh, good point.
So true! but I would think he would just lie his way out of it and say he did go on a few dates with her but he didn’t know she was robbing banks.
Vivica Fox just looks so good as Frankie 😤
The BEST on screen love that never could be. That brother was SO fine, he could have changed her life for the better but she was down for her girls. That obligation to what’s no longer serving you is real. I always hoped that he found her.
Set It Off was such a great movie, it made me think I could rob a bank.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
To this day I hate the scene with Nasty Nate and Stony.. ugh
I wish Stony would have been able to sue to the police department. They said it themselves that they killed an innocent man. She could’ve gotten a settlement.
The fact that Queen Latifah, as graceful as she is, can play someone as rough as Cleo is why I have no choice but to stan 👏🏾
Edit: the security officer firing out of the blue was reckless and dangerous as hell because not only could he have hit the detectives, but he had to have known they had the situation under control. If he didn’t die, he should’ve gotten fired 100%
This movie is so traumatic for me. I have to be in the mood for all the different emotional situations to watch it. Too real.
When I watch this movie I just can’t get myself together when they took out Cleo 😢😢
It was overkill
I cried just as hard during Cleo's last scene. As soon as she lights the cigarette that song comes on I start crying so hard. Every single time. I've watched this movie so many times. I don't even like to watch reruns of anything but i could watch this movie over and over
I was just about to nap….then got the notification. The nap can wait 45 minutes!!
20 thousand is 20 thousand you was tripping on that one 😭
27:27 I STILL ride around with CDs in my car lol I’m old school still
It's crazy how you mentioned that scene which reminded you of the intro from "The Writing's On The Wall" by Destiny's Child because that was my CD back in the day even in 2024 I still love that album.
Let's not forget she counted $240K by hand for them.
So....while I'm late to this , why did they decide to rob the most difficult bank near the end? They could have stuck with something small or less in the public eye.
I couldn't watch this again after seeing Cleo die like that it hurt me the acting really was top tier definitely should've been nominated for an Oscar all.of these actresses are over due for an Oscar in my opinion
Glad you reviewed this movie! Love your commentary
*Set It Off* remains one of my all time favorite movies ever. Perfect casting, directing, music, acting, everything! Queen Latifah should have gotten an Oscar nomination for her role because all these years later, it is still one of the single most dynamic portrayals ever done. Also, *Set It Off* was Natalie Desselle's first movie! I miss her so much. Natalie and I were in college together at Grambling State University. She was my soror, too; we were line sisters, and partners in Theatre Guild. God rest her beautiful soul. 🥰
I first saw set it off in theaters. I was 9 yrs old. Bone thugs n harmony. These are the days of ours lives.
Yaaassssss
Queen Latifah did carried this movie she shouldve won an oscar
I was trying to figure out like did Luther blow ALLLLL the money to the point where they couldn’t just get up outta there😂