
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 25, 1995                   TAG: 9508250136
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`THE SHOW' IS AN HONEST LOOK AT RAP

``The Show'' is a documentary-concert film about the past and present of hip-hop or rap music. It's loud, profane, funny, energetic and honest. As such, it's not the kind of behind-the-scenes movie that's going to attract new listeners. Even hip-hop fans may not like everything they see. Though it's obvious that producers Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins (who also directed) love the music, they don't ignore its flaws - the violence, the misogyny, the immature posturing.

Those are on screen, along with the self-hatred that's part of the form, but so is the crackling power of a live concert, where the singers communicate directly with an audience that loves what it hears.

The main players are Craig Mack, Dr. Dre, Naughty by Nature, Run DMC, Snoop Doggy Snoop, Warren G, Sean "Puffy" Combs and Wu-Tang Clan. The film is bracketed by a prison interview with Slick Rick and also includes a Japanese tour, another live concert and a coffeehouse conversation with the earliest hip-hop artists who have now been left behind by younger performers.

Using the same techniques that have been seen in other music films - notably U2's "Rattle and Hum'' - the producers let the musicians speak for themselves and offer no comment. Snoop Doggy Snoop comes across as particularly self-serving while others are clearly under the influence of alcohol or marijuana. The older survivors know exactly what they're doing and are able to explain it.

For the uninitiated viewer, much of the dialogue and lyrics are completely indecipherable - a criticism that could be made about virtually any form of popular music. But the energy of hip-hop comes across with complete clarity, and that's the film's point.

The Show **1/2

A Rysher release playing at the Valley View 6. Rated R for extremely rough language.

Memo: ***CORRECTION***

by CNB