Set It Off expresses a real sense that these women have been close friends for years, and that gives the film additional impact, even when their transition to crime and violence feels somewhat forced and superficial. A romantic subplot involving Pinkett and a social-climbing banker (Blair Underwood) is too contrived to be convincing, and director F. Gary Gray (Friday) tries too hard to combine hard-hitting action with social relevance (a weakness shared by Gray's following film, The Negotiator). Still, Set It Off effectively avoids passing judgement; its emotional complexity transcends simple notions of right and wrong, injecting vitality--and a kind of renegade integrity--into the traditions of a familiar plot. --Jeff Shannon

This film has you gripped from the start, and you get to know the characters so well you end up crying at the end like they're your best friends.

A sad, but inspiring story about the hardships of life in the hood. Even when you're out, you're never really out! The women fight for what they believe is theirs and a chance for a better
life instead of settling for what they a given.

Great film, can watch it over and over again. One to keep !


Have you ever been so frustrated.........   February 2, 2001
 2 out of 5 found this review helpful

That you just wanted TO SET OFF, BURN IT UP, WATCH IT GO UP IN SMOKE? Then this film is for you starring a quartet of hommies it brings the viewer into full view of being black poor and female. A tale of celebration and anguish there is no part of this film any person who falls outside of the gilded world of the male, the white and the middle class can't relate to.

As the synopsis stated violence sometimes wins over from character development but there is something liberated about seeing women face a system designed to crush their hopes and dreams whilst illminating their anxieties fight back. The Underwood-Pinket sub plot provides all those who sit outside the black upwardly mobile community with an insight to the chasm that splits the 'Harvard Man' (or woman) from his or her community but when the cruch comes Pinket moves to protect Underwood because she knows that a black person in a professional position is still a nigger to those who work with him.

If you want to see the craft of acting brought to the screen then pay close attention to the performance given to Queen Latifah. This is an amazing film one which all people going through their rage against the machine should see. So need time you want to

SET IF OFF

BLOW IT UP &

TEAR IT UP

simply watch the film


Same story, just told a lot better.   March 7, 2000
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Set it off is one of those films you've probably walked by or even picked up at the stores read the back cover and put it straight back down again. Yes, I know, it's a typical story where theirs a bank robbery and the police. But with one exception this is a bank robbery with four ladies from the 'Hood' who simply want more and had enough of the current situation. Desperate to make the green, the ladies try out and do a bank jobs. But it never works out does it? Well, its fair to say that Queen Latifah has given a star performance as well as Jada Plinkett and co. The story line draws the viewer close to the situation and never lets go, the action and dialogue are as good or if not better than some of the 'Boys' movies. This film keeps you glued to your screen, and right at the end they... see the movie, I don't want to spoil it for you. You will not regret it if the violence from 'the ladies' doesn't disturb you.