True to the Game 3

What an unexpected gem! Those long, static shots, overwrought seriousness and ludicrous plot devices of 2 were tossed aside in favor of energetic scenes, actors freely embodying more realized characters, and, dare I say, a delicious pulp flavor! Whether Shoog gives cops the cold shoulder, someone is being pressed for information or an assassin is on the move, the deliveries are rollicking and tucked in with humorous innuendo. Really, keep your ears perked. While a heartbreaking scene between Gah-Git (Starletta DuPois) and Shoog (Vivica A. Fox) steals the show, special mention to Saleem's (Jeremy Meeks) absolute flourish in this pulp environment! It felt like the cast was given license - at long last - to truly bring their characters to bear. That showcase of talent, coupled with a far more intense presentation gives the impression of a more generous budget than the last installment. Wish the whole series had this feel (a testament to the directing and writing)! It's a perfect fit for the themes presented - leaving the viewer with a desire to watch 3 again, as there were surely some awesome bits missed. (And if anyone launches a Gah-Git and Shoog road trip movie, I am here for it.)

This film essentially takes up where its predecessor left of with both "Quadir" (Columbus Short) and "Gena" (Erica Peeples) having been reunited in Malibu while a drug lord's right-hand man named "Saleem" (Jeremy Meeks) continues to look for the people who stole his boss' stash of heroin. Meanwhile, Gena's sister "Bria" (Iyana Halley) and her two close friends "Shoog" (Vivica A. Fox) "Alia" (Niatia 'Lil Mama' Kirkland) are doing everything they can to keep both the police and Saleem from ascertaining their involvement in the deadly heist. But what nobody realizes is that a new player by the name of "Terrell" (Kris D. Lofton) has just been released from prison and he is even more dangerous than Saleem could ever hope to be. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that I didn't think this movie was quite as good as the two films before it due in large part to several scenes that lacked credibility with Quadir's description of his top-secret revival being just one. Events like that might happen in Hollywood--but not in the real world. Having said that, however, while this was certainly not a great film by any means, it was still sufficient for the time spent and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

I really love these movies and I can't wait until part 4 comes out. Gina and Quadir are a great couple. Love it. I want to know who will be the father of the baby. And I want to know what path Brea ends up going down. This movie has me waiting and wanting more.

Having just watched the 2020 "True to the Game 2" last evening, I opted to continue on with watching the 2021 "True to the Game 3" today.

And I have to say that writer Jeff Robertson and director David Wolfgang definitely upped the game for this third movie. The storyline was more coherently constructed for this third movie, making it a much more enjoyable movie to sit through. And this 2021 movie is a direct continuation of the 2020 "True to the Game 2" movie, so that was a good thing in terms of continuity.

While "True to the Game 3" is listed as a thriller, there isn't really a lot of excitement or thrills to be had throughout the movie. Nay, this is more of a crime movie than it is a thriller.

It was nice to see the cast from the previous movie return to reprise their characters and roles in "True to the Game 3".

I will say that "True to the Game 3" is definitely way more enjoyable than "True to the Game 2".

My rating of "True to the Game 3" lands on a five out of ten stars.

Hated the ending because one it made no sense and two they didn't really make this about gena and quadir which I hoped to see overall bad ending to this trilogy.