Menace II Society

Menace II Society is the directorial debut film of twin brothers Allen and Albert Hughes. A theatrical release hit theaters (nationwide) May 28, 1993, with the movie making an appearance before that, at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Its release at that period was well timed, as the early 1990s were the peak era for the then-popular hood movies. This is the truth. This is what's real. (taglines)

Caine

 * Went into the store just to get a beer. Came out an accessory to murder and armed robbery. It's funny like that in the hood sometimes. You never knew what was gonna happen, or when. After that I knew it was gonna be a long summer.
 * Now O-Dog was the craziest nigga alive. America's nightmare: Young, black, and didn't give a fuck.
 * For all the bullshit they try to teach you in high school, I graduated with about half of it. But then, I didn't go to school but half the time. The other half, I was out selling dope. Growing up out here, there was shit that couldn't be learned in no classroom.
 * My father sold dope and my mother was a heroin addict. Moms and Pops were real popular in the neighborhood. They would always be giving parties for friends of theirs who just got out of jail or was on their way to jail. They only got married 'cause I was born. My pop sometimes worked as an electrician or a cab driver or a plumber, but his main job was selling drugs. Sometimes Mom would use 'em all up before he could even sell 'em. Then he'd have to beat her up. Growing up with parents like that, I heard a lot and I saw a lot. I caught on to the criminal life real quick. Instead of keeping me out of trouble, they turned me on to it.
 * I thought killing those fools would make me feel good, but it really didn't make me feel anything. I just knew that I could kill somebody, and if I had to, I could do it again.
 * [as he dies in the street] After stomping on Ilena's cousin like that, I knew I was gonna have to deal with that fool someday, but damn. I never thought he'd come back like this—blasting. Like I said, it was funny like that in the hood sometimes. I mean, you never knew what was gonna happen or when. I'd done too much to turn back, and I'd done too much to go on. I guess in the end, it all catches up with you. My grandpa asked me one time if I care whether I live or die. Yeah, I do—and now it's too late.

Ronnie

 * You need to be glad that you graduated from high school, and that you're alive at eighteen, and you need to do something with yourself before you end up like he (Pernell) did.

Grandpa

 * Now what I want to talk to you two about is the trouble that you've been getting into. Boys, the Lord didn't put you here to be shooting and killing each other. It's right there in the Bible, Exodus 20:13: '"Thou shall not kill.'
 * You don't have any belief, boy. The Lord don't care about who's got the biggest house
 * Do you care whether you live or die?

Dialogue

 * Storekeeper: You not drink beer in store!
 * Caine: Hey, man, I'm a pay you!
 * O-Dog: [to storekeeper's wife] Hey, look, bitch, stop following me around this motherfucker! You getting on my nerves!
 * Storekeeper's wife: Hurry up and buy.
 * O-Dog: [mutters] Shut the fuck up.
 * Storekeeper: [as Caine and O-Dog get ready to pay for their beers] Just pay and leave!
 * Caine: Hey, man, I said I'ma pay you. Why don't you calm your motherfuckin' nerves? Damn.
 * Storekeeper: Hurry up and go.
 * [The storekeepers watch Caine and O-Dog as they pay, with O-Dog looking at them in disbelief]
 * O-Dog: Why don't you give my homeboy his change?
 * Storekeeper: [gives O-Dog Caine's change] I don't want any trouble. Just get out.
 * O-Dog: [disgusted as he walks out] Can't stand y'all.
 * Storekeeper: I feel sorry for your mother.
 * O-Dog: [stops and turns back] What you say about my mama? You feel sorry for who?
 * Storekeeper: I don't want any trouble! Just get out!
 * O-Dog: Huh? (throws change to ground and advances towards the storekeeper) The fuck you say about my mama?
 * Storekeeper: I don't want any trouble! Just get out!
 * [The argument between O-Dog and the storekeeper continues. O-Dog shoots and kills him, then his wife. Then O-Dog and Caine rob the store, take the surveillance tape and leave]




 * Sharif: What's up, black man?
 * Caine: Coolin'. Man, why you got that goddamn hood on your head, lookin' like the Grim Reaper?
 * Sharif: It's cold out here, my brother. You know us black folks not used to this cold air. We a tropical people, you understand? Let them Europeans deal with this madness.
 * Caine: Then why your tropical ass sittin' on the goddamn cooler?
 * Sharif: To keep you fools from drinking this poison. That's why.
 * Caine: Man, you better get your Shelenkem-Shilom ass up off this box and pass me a motherfuckin' brew.




 * O-Dog: You got some money or not?
 * Basehead: Come on, man. You know I'm a little short. Hook me up, man.
 * O-Dog: Nigga, hook you up? Get the fuck outta here.
 * Basehead: Hey, check this out, man. I got these cheeseburgers! They some double cheeseburgers.
 * O-Dog: Nigga, I just ate. Man, I just ate fool. I don't want no motherfuckin' cheeseburgers. If you ain't got no money, you just assed out.
 * Basehead: ''[as O-Dog was Leaving] Man, man, I'll suck your dick. Come on, man, just hook me up.
 * O-Dog: The fuck you just say, nigga?
 * Basehead: I said I'll suck your dick, man! Come on now.
 * O-Dog: [shoots basehead] Suck on that, you bitch-ass trick!
 * A-Wax: O-Dog, what the fuck you doing?!
 * Jackee: Yo, Dog, hurry up!
 * O-Dog: [Kicks basehead's corpse and steals his hamburgers, then says to A-Wax and Jackee] Any of y'all want a hamburger? What's wrong? Y'all don't want a hamburger?
 * A-Wax: I don't want no motherfucking hamburger. Nigga, you stupid, man!
 * O-Dog: I got it from that basehead.
 * A-Wax: You stupid!


 * Tat Lawson: [playing cards at a table] Look here, man. Now that you been out the joint two weeks, don't you think it's about time you gave me my money?
 * Man: Told you I ain't got your money yet, man.
 * Tat Lawson: The fuck you mean you ain't got my money yet? Motherfuckin' everybody know about that money you hid from that robbery!
 * Man: Motherfucker, I told you I ain't got your money yet, man.
 * Tat Lawson: [tilts head to the left] The fuck you mean you ain't got my money yet? Motherfucker, you best be comin' up with my cash or else, you know what I'm sayin'?
 * Man: Fuck you, Tat! Fuck you think you is, motherfuckin' Ron O'Neill or somethin'? Talkin' about I better pay or else. I ain't your bitch, nigga! [shrugs] Well, whatcha gon' do?
 * Tat Lawson: Oh, what I'm gon' do? [pulls out revolver and points it at the man]
 * Man: What? I'm supposed to be scared now that you pull out a pistol, motherfucker? I just spent five motherfuckin' years in the joint. I told ya I pay your monkey-ass when I feel like it. Better suck my dick.
 * Tat Lawson: [while he shoots the man 8 times] Suck on this, motherfucker!

''
 * [A-Wax and lady have brought a wounded Caine into the emergency room]''
 * A-Wax: [to nurse] Give us a motherfuckin' doctor!
 * Nurse: You'll have to fill out these forms first.
 * Lady: Bitch, fuck the forms! We need a doctor! He's bleeding to death over there!


 * Caine: [after O-Dog and A-Wax discuss the store surveillance tape] Look, nigga, I told you to stop showing the fuckin' tape.
 * O-Dog: Man, why do you keep on bitchin' about my tape, man? Damn, man ain't shit gonna happen, all right? All right? Damn! We're just gonna find these little marks and smoke 'em. Shit ain't that hard.
 * Caine: As long as there ain't no crowds. Look, I'm not killing no kids or old folks, all right?
 * O-Dog: [laughing] Hey, man, who the fuck gonna be old out there at 12:00 at night, bitch? Shit, I'll smoke anybody, I just don't give a fuck. Shit. Hit this shit! [hands Caine a joint]
 * Caine: Look, not me, all right? I'm not killin' no kids.
 * O-Dog: [getting angry with Caine's attitude] Hey, you know what, nigga? You actin' like a little bitch right now. You actin' real paranoid and shit. Now these motherfuckers smoked your goddamn cousin in front of you, nigga. Blew his head off in front of your face and you ain't gonna do shit? You actin' like a little bitch right now, nigga. Man, fuck that, I ain't lettin' that shit ride.  We gonna go ahead and smoke all these motherfuckers, I don't care who the fuck out there.  Goddamn it, is you down, nigga?
 * A-Wax: Man, both y'all shut the fuck up! Both y'all actin' like some motherfuckin' bitches. Shit! Scared to peel these punk-ass nigga's cap.  Man, give me my motherfuckin' joint, nigga! [takes joint from O-Dog]




 * Caine: [bursts into a car at a fast-food drive-thru lane and points a gun at the man in the car] I want your motherfuckin' Daytons and your motherfuckin' stereo. And I'll take a double burger with cheese.
 * Car-jack victim: What?
 * Caine: Motherfucker, order my motherfuckin' food!
 * Fast-food employee: [through intercom] Hi, may I take your order, please?
 * Car-jack victim: Yeah, uh, let me have a double burger, uh, some fries--
 * Caine: Motherfucker, I said with cheese, nigga!
 * Car-jack victim: Shit! [into intercom] Yo, uh, make that a double burger with cheese.
 * Caine: See, y'all would've made me shoot your stupid ass over nothing.
 * Car-jack victim: Hey, come on, man, we supposed to be brothers.


 * Ilena: I'm pregnant.
 * Caine: Well, what the fuck you tellin' me for?
 * Ilena: What? So you just gonna dog me?
 * Caine: It ain't mine.
 * Ilena: Look, you the only one I was with!
 * Caine: Stop lying, alright? Besides, I had the jimmy on extra tight.


 * Ilena's cousin: [approaches Caine and O-Dog at Caine's house] Hey, which one of y'all is Caine?
 * O-Dog: Who's this fool, man?
 * Caine: Who wanna know?
 * Ilena's cousin: A friend, homie.
 * Caine: Oh, homie, hey, I don't think you know me.
 * Ilena's cousin: Check this out, I'm Ilena's cousin, partna'. She don't like the way you've been doggin' her and I don't either.
 * Caine: [stunned] We supposed to fight over a bitch?
 * Ilena's cousin: I think you need to watch who you're callin' a bitch, partna'.
 * Caine: Yeah, and I think you better watch who the fuck you-- [Caine punches, shoves then stomps on Ilena's cousin as neighbors react and gather to watch]
 * O-Dog: Go ahead strap that fool! Rush him, nigga! Rush him!
 * Caine: [continues stomping] Tryin' to come to my hood and start all that shit! I ain't no punk!
 * O-Dog: Stomp! Stomp!
 * Grandpa: [comes outside and sees Caine stomping] Kaydee? KAYDEE!
 * O-Dog: [sees Caine's grandpa and stops Caine] Caine! Caine! Chill, homie!
 * Grandpa: [pulls Caine aside] Get your ass in the house!
 * O-Dog: [stomps Ilena's cousin once before walking away] Punk motherfucker!


 * Caine: You going to Kansas with this fool?
 * Sharif: Yeah, Caine. You should come too, man. I mean, you're not doing nothing out here but getting yourself in a lot of trouble. I know your grandmother would be happy.
 * Caine: Shit, I ain't going no place.




 * Pernell: [during a visit to the penitentiary] It's been a long time, Caine. How you doin', man? How come you never come see me?
 * Caine: [looking down] Man, I don't want to see you all caged up like some animal.
 * Pernell: Is that what you think? I'm a animal?
 * Caine: Nah. [looks up, almost in tears] When I was growin' up, you was like my dad, man.
 * Pernell: [takes the phone away from his ear in disbelief, only to return it] Your letters, in the beginning, it got me through, young brah. Away from my girl, away from my baby, away from you. Go with Ronnie, Caine.
 * Caine: Man, I ain't--it ain't even--
 * Pernell: I know the way she feels about you and that's cool. She's a good girl, you know? And take care of my son. I can't do shit for him in here. You teach him better than I taught you, man. Teach him the way we grew up was bullshit. A'ight? [puts his knuckles to the glass] Gimme some.


 * Grandpa: Proverbs 22:10. Cast out the scorner, and the contention shall go out.  Yea Strife, and reproach shall cease.
 * Caine: So what you tryin' to say, Grandpa?
 * Grandpa: Son, you've got to go. I don't want you to remain in our house another night.
 * Caine: What y'all want me to do?
 * Grandpa: [firmly] I want you out of here tonight!
 * Grandma: We're sorry, Caine.
 * Caine: [shocked] Y'all not too sorry. I mean, y'all kicking me out?
 * Grandpa: I've done all I can do for you. We tried our best to raise you, but you're bad.
 * Caine: I wasn't gonna tell y'all 'til later, but in a couple weeks, I'm gonna be moving to Atlanta with Ronnie. I mean, can't I just stay until then?
 * Grandma: [angrily] I hope you're not gonna mess up that girl's life, Caine.
 * Caine: But Grandma, I--
 * Grandpa: [interrupts while standing firm on his decision] Caine! Now, I sincerely hope you get your life together.  Lord knows it. I do, too.  But I cannot have you in my home one more night.
 * Caine: Grandma! [Grandma turns away]
 * Caine: Fine! [gets up and starts walking out, but briefly stops and glares at his grandpa before leaving]



Taglines

 * This is the truth. This is what's real.

Cast

 * Tyrin Turner - Kaydee (Caine) Lawson
 * Jada Pinkett - Ronnie
 * Larenz Tate - Kevin (O-Dog) Anderson
 * Samuel L. Jackson - Tat Lawson
 * MC Eiht - A-Wax
 * Glenn Plummer - James "Pernell" Richards
 * Clifton Powell - Chauncy
 * Marilyn Coleman - Mrs. Lawson
 * Arnold Johnson - Thomas Lawson
 * Pooh-Man - Doc
 * Julian Roy Doster - Anthony
 * Too Short - Lew-Loc
 * Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins - Tyrone
 * Khandi Alexander - Karen Lawson
 * Vonte Sweet - Sharif Butler
 * Ryan Williams - Stacy
 * Bill Duke - Detective
 * Dwayne L. Barnes - Basehead
 * Charles S. Dutton - Mr. Butler
 * Martin Davis - Carjacking Victim
 * Garen Holoman - Junior
 * Brandon Hammond - Five Year Old Caine
 * Saafir - Harold Lawson
 * Cynthia Calhoun - Jackee
 * Erin Leshawn Wiley - Ilena
 * Samuel Monroe Jr. - Ilena's Cousin
 * Clifton Collins, Jr. - Vato #2