Waist Deep (2006) Movie Review

Waist Deep is a cliché ridden urban western that delivers strong performances and well-crafted action, but is wrinkled by its bland script and horrific ending. One does not look for Oscar material in a film of this nature, but its emotional relationships saves it from being typical, but other problems hinder it to where most audiences will find it watchable, but hardly satisfying.

Fresh out on parole, an ex-gang member O2 (Tyrese Gibson) is wanting to making things right for he and his young son Junior. However, O2’s past comes back to haunt him, as his car is hijacked by a ruthless gang, with his son asleep in the back. With the help of his unreliable brother, Lucky (Larenz Tate) and beautiful hustler named Coco (Megan Good), O2 goes on a mission to get his son back from the hands of an evil crime lord named Meat (The Game). Lucky learns that the only way to get Junior back will be for O2 to deliver $100,000 to Meat, which he claims he is in debt for. With only two days to come up with the money, O2 and Coco decide to turn the tables against Meat and his rival-gang nemesis in attempt to get back Junior.

Actor Vondie Curtis Hall directs Waist Deep with a balanced pace of action and drama, it is reflective of a B-western film, with enough shoot outs, but not non-stop violence and blood. Hall previously directed a decent film with Tupac Shakur and Tim Roth called Gridlock’d. The director showed promise, but hit rock bottom with his second feature Mariah Carey’s Glitter. Waist Deep is a return to his style, he is not a flashy filmmaker, but he knows the medium well enough that he can make a film attractive even with a flimsy script.

Hall co-wrote the screenplay for Waist Deep with fellow screenwriter Darin Scott. The script desperately needed of a few re-writes. There are loose holes and numerous inconsistencies, to go along with one cliché after another. The writers also make statements through anti-crime rallies in South Central Los Angeles, which were interesting, but never come full circle. Though the inconsistencies are obvious, the predictability is what damages the film. After a moderate set-up of the characters and the story getting into full motion, the third act is shallow and the final scene of the film is laughable.

Tyrese Gibson delivers his best performance as the ex-con father trying to make things right. Gibson’s has a commanding presence, but in his performance as O2 he finally shows some range. Larenz Tate and Megan Good are well cast in their supporting roles, in which Tate has ventured into his character’s territory before, and Good will get better with experience. The surprise performance of the film is the hateful demeanor brought on by rapper The Game as the gang leader Meat. He makes a terrific villain; perhaps we will see him in more films.

Waist Deep stays true to its genre roots and has an unexpected depth of emotion in it. The performances are in tune and the soundtrack is terrific. However, the script cripples the film and the corny ending will just make audiences shake their heads in disbelief and predictability.