Or Hip Hop Hood as they are calling the movie in Germany. But as you maybe can tell by the long original title (which is being often shortened into "Don't be a Menace" when people talk about the film),this is a comedy. A spoof movie if you want to call it by its name.

The long title also includes the major movies being spoiled, but apart from those you have a few others (like Dead Presidents, another Hughes brothers movie, directors of Menace 2 Society, to name but one). I remember that I thought this was quite funny. Rewatching this made it clear it is more on the silly side of spoof comedy. I don't even think you have to know or have seen the movies this is based on ... the jokes work. Don't expect this to be politically correct or anything of that kind ... the movie uses cliches and offends every which turn it can. All in the name of comedy. That may not be your taste or style, but that is what is being served here.

Aside from what you think of the humor (even if you don't like it, that is what it's called),the prop and background details here are quite rich. From plant on a fridge to other smaller details and items that enrich the whole setting. There went a lot of work and know how into the making and of the movie - even if it doesn't always seem that way

I liked this movie (not as much as the Wayans future project Scary Movie) because of it's funny jokes on past gangsta movies. It all ranges from Boys 'N' the Hood, South Central, Menace 2 Society, Dead Presidents and some others. Cool fun, mainly from the Wayans bros. (Marlon, Shawn, Damon and Kennan Ivory) who wrote and produced this project. Not in the best spoof category, but it isn't a waste of time either (though I'd rather see the gangsta comedy Friday). B+

Shawn and Marlon Wayans, along with director Paris Barclay, have created a very humorous satire of the flood of films recently dealing with African-American life in the ghettos of inner-cities of America. "Boyz in the Hood" and "Menace II Society" are among the films at which the Wayans brothers poke fun. "Don't be a Menace..." follows the story of Ashtray(Shawn Wayans) as he wades through a series of episodes in Barclay's "hood." He lives with his father, who is "only a couple of years older than him." Among the lessons his father teaches him are: "No smokin' my shit, no drinkin' my shit, and if you bring any of them hos up in here, make sure I fuck 'em first", and (drinking and driving)"That shit is fun, man!" No stereotype or politically-correct boundary is too sacred for the Wayans brothers to poke fun at. Some of the jokes hit, some miss, and the fun will definitely be increased by those who have seen the films that "Don't Be A Menace..." frequently jests. Not extremely culturally-important fare, but a good laugh, nonetheless.