Two cops (Ice-T and Judd Nelson) are on the hunt for a ruthless drug lord (Wesley Snipes), who is slowly taking over the New York City when he introduces crack cocaine to the city's drug addicted population. They go undercover on their own when the budget for their Task Force is cut for a short period.
This movie has some of the best acting I've seen in a long time. Nelson, Ice-T and especially Snipes are great in their roles. Mario Van Peebles, who also directed "New Jack City", wasn't in the film that much, but his performance is just as good.
Speaking of Peebles -- his direction was just as good as the performances of his cast. He used light and shadow to the movie's advantage quite well. He also used NYC just as well as he used the gritiest locations available to him to help show the world of a drug addict on quite possibly the most dangerous drug on the streets today.
Another well done part of the movie is the makeup. You actually can believe the addicts are seriously having problems by just looking at them.
There are a few characters who are not well developed, but they do help in advancing the story. In my opinion, the characters of the old man (Bill Cobbs) and the girlfriend of the drug lord (Vanessa Williams) should have been expanded upon a bit more.
Let me warn you on a point or two. There is a lot of gun-play in this movie, as well as a lot of blood. This movie is not for those who can't handle graphic, violent scenes or children. This movie is pretty much for adults. The language is also of a frank nature. It also depicts crack cocaine use.
The message to the movie is as relevant today as it was when this movie was in theaters. It gives a realistic look at the world of a drug addict through the eyes of the pushers and the cops trying to put them behind bars.
If you want a good movie with a message, and don't mind graphic scenes of a violent nature, then "New Jack City" should be on your Must See List.