Good concept, poorly executed.

Blistering performances.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I never really had an interest seeing this movie because so many African American's movie's seem to lack originality. I just happen to see it on television and decided to watch it. I was quite impressed. It was good to see that this movie is something men and women of all races can relate too. I'm glad they didn't get too strong into the violence and drugs associated with Inglewood. I was a little worried about it's similarity to American Pie's theme, about young teen boys in competition to lose their virginity's, but it was only a part of the story's theme. The point was for us to get a good idea what it was like growing up in their world(as many can relate to). Also, the chemistry between the grown up cast was very believable. I wouldn't say this was a powerfully scripted movie, but it was entertaining. I will go out and buy this DVD.

Movies are made to tell a story in an entertaining fashion. Any movie that effectively delivers the main point of the story, and does so with strong conviction and entertaining plot twists, gets a full rating in my book. The Wood tells a story of three childhood friends and how their encounters and experiences through life has fortified their friendship. Even as one faces marriage, and risk of the trio being broken apart by distance is eminent, they learn that their friendship has and always will be the strength which truly defines the term "friends". The characters are funny, how they interact with each other is entertaining, and the transitions between modern day and back in the day left me reeling to my childhood years. Bottom line for this viewer... I sure wish I kept in better contact with the friends I had from junior high (that's 'middle school' for the new viewers!!). Favorite Lines/Scenes: Ro: Yeah, I still trying' to figure out how you swung that! Mike: Aw, man... yeah, that's why I'm "Big Mike" and y'all ain't. Slim: Ah, n--ga, don't act stupid!The ENTIRE scene inside the AA-Mart... a drunk, grits grabbin' Taye, a wisecrackin', Tic-Tac dispensin' Richard, Omar defending his nerdistic childhood memories, and the emotionless clerks behind the counter... (I remember stopping in at the AA for a cold beverage after basketball games. AA-Mart is still there today across from Smart & Final on Beach, only there's bulletproof lexan between the counter and the store now.)

This is the type of film that you can just sit back and enjoy. The male leads(Diggs, Epps and Jones) have chemistry as well as their young counterparts. The plot is simple and easy to follow. Roland(Diggs) is about to get married, but chickens out and goes over an old girlfriends house instead.Then Mike(Epps) and Slim(Jones) are sent over there to go get him before the wedding. While getting him sobered up, Mike reminisced on when they first met. This movie is better than movies of the same theme(The Best Man, The Brothers, etc.) because the male leads are more likable and less one dimensional, although Rolands reasons for not wanting to get married aren't explained enough. Also, the girl that plays young Alicia is way too old for the role.Bottom line, the narrative by Epps is good and it's not riddled with stereotypes. Also, the 80's soundtrack is great and this is an entertaining movie. 7/10

After I bought the soundtrack in the summer of 1999, with some superb songs by R. Kelly, Ahmad and JOE I wondered what type of movie this was. Absolutely no average ghettomovie. after seeing the pictures in the booklet supplied with the soundtrack I figured it had to be a black contemporary feelgood movie. I decided to import the DVD last year via Canada, as it was only until a few months ago it was released here in the Netherlands, Europe on Region 2 DVD.Two words: unexpected quality! Wow, this movie is indeed a trip to memory, as each 'classic moment' in that movie starts with an old school jam like "Eric B. Is President", "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume or "Back In Tha Days" by Ahmad, hearing him rapping about the old school days. Very great acting by Sean Nelson makes you realise his method acting is of a high level. Seeing him play in The Wood the younger version of Mike, you wonder if he truly lived in 1985/86?This movie was worth my 20 dollars and I've seen it probably 20-30 times since I own it. It ranks in my list of quality Black Urban movies, among The Best Man, Love Jones and Love & Basketball. I'd love to see more from this director..