It’s been a few years, but we’re finally reunited with Shameik MooreMiles Morales in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. His work is as great as that of his predecessor, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, in which he voiced our favorite friendly neighbor Spider-Man. Come to think of it, Moore could also play a great live performance of Miles. While Moore is mostly known for this animated role, he did play a very similar role in his best work in the 2015 film. Drug, which, like Miles, climbs over the head. This role not only allowed Moore to showcase his range, but solidified him as a leading man.

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“Dope” is a fresh take on the coming-of-age genre

dope movie
Image via Open Road Films

Dope IIt’s one of those gems that we can’t help but wonder why not anymore. The film boasts an excellent main trio of Shameik Moore, Kiersey ClemonsAnd Tony RevoloriWith Zoe Kravitz And A$AP Rocky also in the cast. Screenwriter and director Rick Famuiva, Drug is a coming-of-age film in which Malcolm and his friends figure out their future after they graduate from high school. Self-proclaimed nerds for what they are, they expect to get into one of the best universities in the country, but soon find themselves entangled in a dangerous thread that eventually leads to the drug trade. All this is accompanied by a killer soundtrack filled with 90s hip-hop (Malcolm’s favorite) and even a couple of original songs. Pharrell Williams.

Growing up is usually the moment when we need to get as broad a view of the world as possible in order to determine our next steps in life with the little experience we have. Malcolm Adecanby Moore has to wander around in many places (some good, some bad, and some just strange) figure out how to act so as not to jeopardize the future he wants versus the future others expect of him. His fascination with the music and culture of past decades, as well as his punk rock band, usually causes him and his friends to be the subject of many jokes for liking “white things”. But the trio don’t let that obstacle bring them down.

Shameik Moore instills hidden confidence in Malcolm in ‘Dope’

dope-movie-shameik-moore
Image via Open Road Films

What makes Moore’s performance Drug so impressive is how easy it seems to him that he captured this awkward and nerdy atmosphere on Malcolm. He knows a lot about the things he likes, and as inappropriate as it looks, he’s still trying to fit in. He balances his insecure nature with a modern punk look. Moore handles this by leaving a hint of confidence deep down, which he begins to show more clearly towards the end of the film. This makes Malcolm even more likable as he seems to be telling the audience that he knew all along that he was right. It’s not often that we get films that have this kind of belief in teenagers, and Malcolm is truly an incredible hero in that sense, but the combination of Moore’s interpretation of the character and Famuyiva’s story makes it one of the best things to come. age genre.

After DrugMoore landed his iconic role in In spider verse but also starred in other projects such as Baz Luhrmannseries Get down, Sylvester Stallone-vel Samaritanand more recently, Wu-Tang: An American Saga like Sha Raider. While these are all projects that Malcolm would no doubt be proud of, in none of them does Moore receive as much attention as in Drugand what along with spider verse films, currently serves as his strongest statement as an artist.

For spider verse Fans, the similarities between Malcolm and Miles Morales are overwhelming. They are both bright young people with a future full of potential ahead of them. They know what they want and where to go to get it, and must go through similar and surreal journeys. Malcolm didn’t meet any other universes of his personality and certainly didn’t have superpowers, but he does get in touch with several possible futures for himself along the way, while also experiencing a lifestyle completely different from his own.

Dope opened the door to great artists

dope movie
Image via Open Road Films

Although there are many connections with spider verse franchise in Drug, this film also helped to either launch or unite people into stardom. Shameik Moore may be the first name that comes to mind, but there are plenty of others in this movie who have the chance to showcase a range and skill that goes beyond your typical superhero movies.

The most obvious links are here Kiersey Clemons And Tony Revolori, a duet that follows Malcolm Moore. They play Diggie and Jib respectively, fast friends who also aspire to get into a good college after high school. Clemons may be best known for her role as Iris West in Justice league and now Flash, but this is her first opportunity to prove that she can do much more than just briefly crush speedster superheroes. Revolori also gets his best part since, well, Big Budapest Hotelthough in truth he does kill him like Flash Thompson in the MCU Spider-Man movies.

However, one of the most impressive is behind the cameras. Drug Rick Famuyiva is the original writer and director, and he demonstrates skills here that are not even found in Famuyiva’s work in mandalorian (as cool as it is) maybe. He perfectly balances comedy, drama and suspense and gives the film a certain surreal atmosphere, Atlanta managed to crank like WillBlake Anderson), an upper-middle-class white hacker trying to argue that he should be allowed to use the N-word because he identifies with black culture. It’s a freedom Famuyiva can’t get in major franchises and is considered his finest work to date. Drug has it all to show and still feels like a small independent film made with love. You may come for Shameik Moore’s excellent performance as Malcolm, but you’ll definitely stick around for what the movie really is: a surreal adventure about growing up and traveling through all the bizarre different universes.