Turn It Up

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Turn It Up

R

2000

1h 26m

Drama

Music

Action

Crime

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

10%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

25%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In the ghetto, the only thing more dangerous than a gun is a dream. And gifted Brooklyn hip-hop artist Diamond has a big dream to rise from the streets of New York to superstardom in the music world.... if only he can survive the ride. A hip-hop sensation in his own right, Fugee's founding band member Prakazrel Michel (known widely as Pras) stars as Diamond in the compelling urban drama.

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Critics Consensus

Reviewers say Turn It Up has a derivative feel, running through too many urban movie cliches.

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Robert Koehler

Variety

Turn It Up is a hip-hop downer that makes the high-risk high-life of contempo gangstas seem glumly routine.

Jun 6, 2008

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Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Surprisingly, for a movie about music, the sound is lousy. Some of the songs sound distorted because they have so much bass. In other moments, the dialogue is so low, it's hard to understand what the characters are saying.

Mar 5, 2007

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Ernest Hardy

Film.com

As both writer and director, Adetuyi doesn't bother bringing any emotional or psychological twists or nuances to these familiar character types; he gives them no depth whatsoever.

Jan 1, 2000

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Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

This is one of those pictures that is at its best when illustrating a certain kind of life in a certain kind of place at a certain point in U.S. history. In 40 years, it might make a valuable period piece.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 30, 2023

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Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

In the final analysis it's more exploitative than uplifting.

Rated: D-

Jul 24, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 1/5

Jul 4, 2005

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 26 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $1,200,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy 25th anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

Full Review

Joy S.

If I could give it no stars I would. I had to say something about this movie even though it’s old and whoever put this awful garbage out you should be horse whipped!!! Beware DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME!!🫠😵😵‍💫

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

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steve d

It may have worked if any of its musicians could actually act.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

it was good ja rule always makes me laugh

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

nilufer e

The only reason I wanted to watch this movie was Jason Statham and he was all I got. No wonder why very few people know about it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

The movie was decent. But Pras lacks acting ability, which really dragged the movie down some. His total, straight face, no emotion performance was needed during a few scenes but the rest of the movie he needed to show some kind of emotions or at least facial expressions which were not there. Ja Rule did a great job in his first role and had some great lines to work with. Worth renting but not buying.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

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Robert Adetuyi

Director

Pras Michel

Denzel

Ja Rule

David 'Gage' Williams

Vondie Curtis-Hall

Cliff

Tamala Jones

Kia

Jason Statham

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Synopsis

In the ghetto, the only thing more dangerous than a gun is a dream. And gifted Brooklyn hip-hop artist Diamond has a big dream to rise from the streets of New York to superstardom in the music world.... if only he can survive the ride. A hip-hop sensation in his own right, Fugee's founding band member Prakazrel Michel (known widely as Pras) stars as Diamond in the compelling urban drama.

Director: Robert Adetuyi
Producer: Guy Oseary
Screenwriter: Robert Adetuyi, Ray "Cory" Daniels, Kelly Hilaire, Chris Hudson
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Paris Brothers, Mad Guy Films
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Music, Action, Crime
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 6, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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