His real name is Curtis Jackson but most know him as “50 Cent”.  The 30-year-old rapper is the star of the latest film from renowned director Jim Sheridan (In The Name Of The Father, In America).  There’s a similarity in this project with Eminem’s 2002 film, 8 Mile.  Both feature rappers in their acting debuts, both are based on true stories, both are about overcoming obstacles, and both have an acclaimed director behind the camera (Curtis Hanson directed 8 Mile).

On paper they familiar but in terms of quality, they are “miles” apart.  8 Mile was brilliant.  It was artistic, told a great story, featured strong actors and had a few unexpected twists.  Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ is terribly predictable and includes a stale performance from 50 Cent.  He can’t act but I don’t hold it against him.  It can’t be easy carrying a $40m motion picture with limited acting experience.  I blame the producers for giving this film a green light to go ahead.

Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ sees a kid named Marcus (50 Cent) grow up on the “wrong side of tracks”.  He never knew his father and his mother was murdered when Marcus was a young teenager.  Marcus turned to world of drugs and he was soon one of the leading traders in the ‘hood.  He now had wealth but there were many competitors trying to bring him down.

After a brief stint in jail, Marcus finds his conscious and wants to change his life for the better.  He becomes a rap singer and with the help of a manager (Howard), tries to find a record label to distribute his music.  Marcus also speaks out against the crime and drug-trafficking that is destroying the neighbourhood.  These actions are attracting a new group of enemies who want Marcus silenced at all costs.

I was tired after just half-an-hour.  The plot feels stretched and the cliché ridden dialogue did nothing to make the two hours feel shorter.   One of the worst parts is the “philosophical” narration from 50 Cent.  He’s trying too hard to get his message across.

Close to 5,000 people have graded this film on the Internet Movie Database and the film has scored an average grade of 2.3 out of 10.  This ranks it inside the bottom 100 films of all time.  It currently has a lower score than Battlefield Earth and Police Academy: Mission To Moscow.  I wouldn’t rank it in my own bottom 100 but it’s not far away.  Save your cents for another movie.