Spikeopath Albert and Allen Hughes direct, produce and co-write (with Michael Henry Brown) this tale about Anthony Curtis (Larenz Tate), a South Bronx boy who goes off to fight in Vietnam, to then return after his tours of duty to find things just aren't the same anymore. The follow up to their incendiary debut, Menace II Society, the Hughes brothers deliver another in your face picture that is quite frankly on a perpetual downer. This is no bad thing, though, as long as you are not looking to be cheered up.That's Uncle Sam for you! Mean Green.The pic very much harks back to the glory days of film noir in the 40s and 50s, where some talented film makers began to tell stories of returning war veterans finding what they left behind is now alien to them - with some characters, as is the case here - deeply scarred by their experiences. Add in some gangster elements and the coup de grâce that is the scintillating heist, and clearly the brothers have seen many an old classic film. That the narrative is tried and tested stops the piece hitting greater heights, this in spite of some super acting (especially Tate and the always value for money Keith David) and the hard hitting violence that pierces the senses. Predictable yet potent, and certainly memorable, it's well worth a look for the tough of mind and the classic era film of heart. 7/10

Theo Robertson A young black man Anthony Curtis is about to graduate from college in 1969 and volunteers from the United States Marine Corps . Coming home after a tour in the early 1970s . Needing a focus in life Anthony finds himself being drawn in to a life of crime DEAD PRESIDENTS was released in 1995 with a fair amount of hype . Directed by the Hughes brothers it was marketed as a film that marketed the black experience of coming home after Vietnam . One can understand why the film was marketed this way since the Hughes did make the critically acclaimed MENACE II SOCIETY , part of a short lived but acclaimed " Ghetto subgenre " in the early 1990s . DEAD PRESIDENTS might try to fit in to this type of genre but what ever type of movie it's trying to be it fails because there's an obvious flaw - there's not one single likable character in the movie If the Hughes brothers had been white I'm sure they'd have been accused of playing up to ethnic stereotypes or at the very least making a blacksplotation movie twenty years too late . The film starts with some foul mouthed characters lamenting the lack of sex in their lives and goes downhill from there . The film then cuts to Vietnam and if Anthnoy ( And the audience ) thought the ghetto was bad then Vietnam is a lot worse . The war scenes are genuinely disturbing and violent but again this seems very old hat when we'd already had a glut of anti-war films featuring the 'Nam ten years earlier and most of them making an anti-war point much better too . When Anthony returns to America he gets involved in a robbery that makes the Vietnam war look like an episode of TELETUBBIES This is a muddled , unfocused violent film that becomes more and more depressing as it goes along . If the Hughes are making a comment that returning soldiers from conflicts regardless of their colour are callously ignored by the country they fought to defend then they have failed . There's little incitement for the characters to become the violent ruthless criminals they are . Just because an educated college boy fought in a war zone it never seems a convincing character motivation to become a criminal , and the robbery itself on an armoured car is done so graphically and violently is enough to evaporate any potential sympathy one might have had at Anthony's plight Despite being a competently made film , the editing is very good for example , DEAD PRESIDENTS is a classic example of a film having to elicit empathy from the audience and if it fails to do this then the entire film fails

kenny_capcity I re-watched this for the first time in over 7 years as I dug it out of my VHS collection. Solid socio-political time peace addressing the issues facing young men growing up in the Bronx during the 70's. Good cast with a firm performance by Larenz Tate in the lead role. The movie showcased three distinct times in the lives of the main character, pre war, during Vietnam and post war struggling with life back in society. Good supporting cast with some noteworthy performances by Bookeem Woodbine, Clifton Powell, N'Bushe Wright and Terrance Howard. Howard steals a few scenes in his small role. Chris Tucker was funny with his usual flamboyant, loud and quick witted character that he has since built a solid career on. The ending was moving and powerful and the movie moved along fairly well accept for a scene or two. The soundtrack was fantastic and had me moving in my chair the whole time, worked excellent with the scenes, mood and period of the film. Well worth the watch.

sambo5180 The Hughes Brothers film Dead Presidents exists as one the most (arguably) realistic human dramas ever made. Many people refer to this as a "blaxpoitation film", but this only how the movie is portrayed. I have seen this film many times (first as a 9-year old, if you can imagine that) and it still remains one of my favourites. I have read other user comments on this film and it seems that the problem most viewers have with it is the uneven plot. So for the person reading this who has not seen this film, please read the following:Dead Presidents is not a concept film in the obvious sense. I won't explain the plot and story (everyone else seems to have their own ideas) but this film does give many messages. Other reviewers claim this tries to be a war movie or a heist movie or a love story all at once. If anything, call this a "culture" movie. Yes, this film does display the worst possible scenarios in a person's life, but this is not to say that life isn't like this for many people. A few things to remember when watching this film: (1)Do not watch this film if you don't enjoy films that portray something less than positivity for your viewing pleasure. People who prefer "soft" films that show kindness, warmth, love, etc. will ineviably be in a rut by the film's end.If this film leaves you in a state of angst by the end, it's just because that's what the film tries for, so don't trip! (2) There are racial undertones in this movie!!! This is not to say that a white person can't enjoy this film, but be prepared. I viewed this with a friend (who is white) and he was angry as hell by the end of film, making comments like, "Life's not really like that!" (3) The violence portrayed in this film is (over-the-top) quite extreme, but this is necessary for the story. Everyone has already pointed out all the most gruesome scenes in previous reviews, so if you've read previous reviews, you know what to look forward to. Don't expect any restraint in the depictions of the darker side of mankind. (4) Trying to guess the plot before viewing is completely pointless. One of the best ideas behind this film is it's unpredictability. Sure, earlier scenes might foreshadow something later, but if you think you have it figured out, you'll most likely be disappointed.The acting in this film is incredible. No one gives an even mediocre performance (this due impart to the cast: What would you expect from Larenz Tate in one of his best performances, Chris Tucker in a serious roll, and even a young Terrence Howard?) A lot of the film's best acting comes not from the dialogue (which isn't anything extraordinary), but from the voice tones and expressions. Look at Chris Tucker's eyes as the film spins out toward the end, or Keith David's rocky voice in his portrayal as the old man Kirby. *The scene where Tucker kills the cop in the heist is one of the most realistic scenes I've ever seen in a movie. Also, this is one of the most brilliantly shot films I've ever seen. From the war scenes in 'Nam to the borough of the Bronx in the 70's, settings and cinematography, as well as the film's soundtrack are all on point, more so than many of today's disappointing films. Yes, the Hughes Brothers may pay homage to other directors, particularly in the war scenes, but any one who says they are "biting" earlier styles is definitely a critic (and nothing more). This film's pacing is hardly slow, it just doesn't move like a mindless action flick. It seeks to show you not just the struggle of the black male (as many people drew this from it), but the struggles of anyone put in circumstances beyond their control. (I'm not agreeing the films final sequences, just pointing out the idea.) Life is not simplistic or happy for these characters, but rather like a hustle to come upon something better. I have dealt with these emotions myself, so I can appreciate what the Hughes Brothers are portraying, and will admit a slight bias to the film. If you have seen Menace II Society, then you have an idea of what to expect. Overall, Dead Presidents attempts to display what gives rise to blues music: the trials of people, and the choices and consequences of human action. Watch the film, draw a conclusion, but don't assume anything.*****Oh, and for those of you who couldn't seem to figure out the film's title: these are what are on U.S. currency (dollar bills), aka M-O-N-E-Y, which is what the character's are trying to O-B-T-A-I-N!