ATL is a great movie for all involved in it i think that it is very underrated movie. They thought that it was going to be a movie in the vein of boys in the hood with it's social commentary about the state of black people in todays world, but it just ain't that movie. ATL dosen't have long speeches about African American culture from people drinking 40's and playing dominos. ATL dosen't subscribe to HOOD stereyotypes in fact no one in this movie is ever shown Drinking Beer or Smoking weed, sure ANT deals drugs but you don't see people ever smoke it. it's a movie that isn't about images but about the problems that the characters face that are real to life. the people have problems like what to do after high school and looking out for your family and friends. The actors in this moie are well cast the actors seem to really know their characters, and most of all TI is perfect in this movie he has a great energy that helps fits the movie to a T

Wow - this is a surprise. Watch it because it's proof that a lot of IMDBers are really full of crap pawns that care more about peoples' opinions of their opinions than they do about whether or not the movie is actually any good. Stupid sheep. This was very emotional, GREAT characterization, awesome photography, and extremely convincing dialogues. I'm from the ATL, trust me this is pretty accurate. This flick really does a fabulous job portraying what some folks struggle with overcoming stereotypes, growing up, and finding their place in their world. If you appreciate an honest review then go see this sucker - otherwise you probably didn't even read this far.

There gotta be some HATERS out there cuz this movie score is way outta wack at a 3.6. This movie was glamorized but T.I. kicking it with his crew and trying to figure out a good life was a true to life performance. The direction was beautiful and it really gave people a taste of hot-lanta. Everything combine for an accomplished finish and a smooth fun ride. I am so glad I watched it you will be too.

I wondered, as you would, how can a movie capture the ATL? The attitudes, style and environment puts you right on the streets down south. To represent the south I think this movie adds pride to it's image right now. Other then that, Chris Robinson is a killer behind the camera. The shots really hooked me into the film. If that's not enough, the cast was dead on, especially for some new comers.

A story about young people struggling to overcome the darker side of the neighborhood. Rashad Swann (Tip Harris) comes of age and takes responsibility for himself and his brother Antwone (Ross) to move toward getting out of the hood. Rashad meets a great girl named New New (London) with a secret that almost costs them their relationship. Antwone gets involved in dealing and suffers from a boss that isn't very understanding. Rashad and his skating buddies spend their time at the Cascade roller rink competing in skating events in preparation for the annual skating tournament that they've won several times. The main characters are all pretty likable and the dialog was a good compromise between reality and prime time TV. They even had an old timer speaking some Jive. You won't find an abundance of emotion from the righteous characters, but it is well worth seeing. Even with all the daily troubles, it doesn't leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

Im not the least bit surprised that this movie has a low rating. Think about it. Have you ever seen any black movie that made the Top 250? Then why should you care what these pompous, smarmy, egotistical snobs think? If every movie was like those low-budget brainless hood flicks that come out every month then Black cinema would be a distant memory. Not every movie should be like Boyz N The Hood and Menace II Society. I love both of those films but I don't want every film to come out of Black cinema to be like those films. If you were expecting something along the lines of Get Rich Or Die Trying or 8 Mile then shame on you. This movie is surprisingly good and is a breath of fresh air in comparison to the stupid hood flick of the month that has been coming out recently.

Written by Antwoine Fisher(yes, the one the movie with Derek Luke is named after), ATL chronicles the life of four men(Rashad-T.I., Esquire-Jason Long, Teddy-Jason Weaver and Brooklyn-Albert Daniels) at the crossroads of their lives. Rashad is trying to raise his brother "Ant"(Evan Ross)and is trying to keep him out of trouble. Things get bad when he end up working for the local drug dealer(Big Boi of Outkast). Rashad has other problems. His girl "New New"(Lauren London) is loaded and is ashamed of admitting it to him especially after Esquire finds out.

T.I. does a pretty good job as well as the rest of the cast and I must say that T.I and Lauren London make a good looking couple on screen. Mykelti Williamson is good also as Uncle George. Nobody insanely overacts and there are no buck wild stereotyping abound in this movie. People actually talk to each other with respect. They crack jokes that are funny and have conversations without pulling out guns. Big Boi was better here than he was in Who's Your Caddy. Nothing seems forced in this movie and ATL has heart. We like Rashad and his crew. Hell, we even like New New even though her being ashamed of being rich is kind of bizarre. Its better than John Singleton's 2001 chittlin circuit disasterpiece(no names needed... you know which movie Im talking about). Ill watch this one any day over that monstrosity. I feel at ease when watching ATL because Im not bombarded with wacky stereotypes and people acting like rottweilers on heroin. If you think that that is what constitutes a good black movie then you need to crawl back under that rock you came from and I hope it bashes you on the head on the way down. ATL doesn't cover issues of race or politics but its not on the other side of the fence where the ignorance and the stupidity roam either. More or less it is a tale of people that are trying to deal with the situations they've been given. I'd recommend to anybody that wants a break from the Boyz N The Hood and Menace II Society knockoffs that keep popping up every month like kudzu on the highway. Two thumbs up and here's to much more.

PS: You reviewers out there shouldn't be ashamed to say you liked this movie. Stop worrying about what you friends think for once and be yourself!

I just got back from an advance screening of ATL--the movie that cannot be marketed as a roller skating flick because Roll Bounce "didn't make money."

OK, so I guess that's a major spoiler in Warner Brother's eyes. But I think it's kinda cool to see a PG-13 movie set in current times that shows young men and women battling with the process of growing up. If you've seen lots of movies like me, you'll know where ATL borrows it's cues from--the friendships of Juice, the house party from House Party, the fat girl from Cooley High a dash of Purple Rain the broad tapestry of Last Picture Show or American Graffiti and the swagger of Saturday Night Fever. It also owes a lot to John Hughes' early work. That being said, director Chris Robinson, in his feature debut, delivers strong visuals and an excellent soundtrack/score that constantly reminds you that these are real places, people and problems. He gets excellent performances from his cast--a mix of veteran actors and musicians in their film debuts.

The big plot twist in the story (which I won't give away) raises a very interesting question that the movie with as broad a scope as ATL has no way to answer--do these young girls project a "grown-up" attitude because it's fashionable or is it the only way to find love and attention from these young boys who are, in their own way, desperately in search of their own manhood without the guidance of true role models? ATL tels a very familiar story but with interesting hues and nuances that defy the typical "hood" flick. I encourage you to check it out in theaters.

I really liked this movie. I didn't expect it to be very good because none of the actors are A-list actors and there are several characters played by rappers, including T.I.'s debut as the lead character Rashad. I'm not saying rappers don't act well because some of the best actors are also rappers, such as Ice Cube, LL Cool J, and Tupac. But, it just seems like these days a lot of rappers who can not act are trying to anyway. But, my point is that T.I. and Big Boi are really good in this film. I wasn't even thinking of them as being rappers trying to act in this movie because they just seemed like the characters that they were playing.

I enjoyed the whole movie and was entertained from start to end. It was even quite touching and emotional for those of you like that kind of thing. It was fun and had a great soundtrack too. I would highly recommend checking this one out. In fact, I just saw it yesterday and I'm going to go buy the DVD for my collection. It's one of the best movies I've seen in a while.

I thought the performances were very strong for a majority unknown cast. Even though T.I. is currently one of my favorite rappers, I didn't have a hard time believing him as Rashad. I forgot his other persona as soon as the 1st scene rolled. I think he will do very well in films, as well as the other performers. I thought the skating scenes were very convincing, especially after finding out that nobody knew how to skate before the shoot on the DVD extras. Even though the cast was new to Hollywood, I thought the addition of veterans like Mikelti Williams, Keith David and Lonette McKee added substance to the movie. Even Big Boi from Outcast was well played, some people had told me that his performance was not convincing, but I disagree.

What many people refuse to believe is the accuracy in socio-economic depictions of dramas and routines of young black teens that ATL brings to life in theaters. As I glance over the several reviews written by critics who seem rather shocked that skating is actually a hip-hop trend makes me even more convinced the world knows very little about what really goes on in the vines of trends and threads of hip-hop. (Skating has been "in" for a while now...anyways) ATL expressed reality artistically, which makes the movie more, in my opinion "fun." The movie scopes into the lives, gives reasons for deprivations and answers from where, what and why do people find a haven in where they "kick-it," and who they "kick it with" I think ATL is a good movie because what it really expressed to me is the strife to... just making it.

Heck, I never went skating, I mean, I'm not a very trendy or hip-hopish type of person to boot, wouldn't fit in. So the movie provides a perspective and although I may not be so into rap, the movie still gives a strong statement, so I like it. It motivates me, kind of like, Hustle and Flow.

Overall, ATL was a lot better than I expected, especially the acting, who knew Rapper T.I. can light up the screen.

I may be biased because I love T.I. but I was pleased with the movie!! I thought it was good to finally show something other than the usually cliché movie about urban kids who all want to sell drugs and smoke. It shows the "real" side of urban kids. The side the media never wants us to see. All kids are not bad; and no we do not all perpetuate the stereotype. Great movie, but I will admit the end of the movie did not lend to the imagination and could have expounded more on what other possibilities there were for the conclusion. However, T.I. is amazing in this movie; especially considering this was his big screen debut. Natural, funny, and real.

Okay, so what I've seen from the comments posted is that people were all expecting something different from the movie ATL. I honestly didn't want to see this movie. I thought it was going to be another dumb movie that showed that rappers really can't act. But I was pleasantly surprised. The movie isn't about the city Atlanta, its about boys growing up in the city and the trials they endure and the temptations that they give into. Its not a gangster movie, and the person who said it was i'm wondering if you and I saw the same movie. Its about a young man trying to get his life together so that he and his little brother can do something better with their lives. I REPEAT: THIS MOVIE IS NOT ABOUT THE CITY ATLANTA. So don't get on here bad mouthing it because there weren't' enough of Atlanta's attractions or because it didn't show the clubs. And about that, these kids were still in high school, not everyone goes to the club. I thought it was great that they showed young black people passionate about skating as opposed to sex, drugs and violence. So let me repeat this one more time: this movie is not about Atlanta, GA. It is not a gangster movie. And I think its great that it had a happy corny ending and everyone ended up doing well. Young black people who are really in situations like the ones portrayed in the movie need to know that things can turn around and turn out for the better.

The New Urban drama/comedy ATL,about a group of friends coming of age in Atlanta,was better than I expected in so many ways:It was sweet.It had heart.It was funny in real and unexpected ways,and it had a pace and rhythm all its own.

Another reviewer mentioned "Cooley High" as a reference,but I would also add American Graffiti,especially in using a central location,in this case a roller skating rink,as the focus of the action,as the meeting place of the kids in the area.

I'm afraid that once the word gets around that this isn't another tough,gangster style film,that it will die quickly at the box office,as evidenced by the bored,loud teenagers I saw the film with tonight.

Are small,personal African American films like ATL and "Something New" doomed to failure because of their refusal to dumb down to their audiences with broad,crude humor?I hope not,but why should they be any different than white audiences that cant see a good thing if their lives depended on it either.

End of rant.Take a chance on a film that takes a chance.

This was a good movie. I have to admit I was a little skeptical, I mean this is my first time seeing, Tip "T.I." Harris act and I did not want to be disappointed by another rapper turned actor. I would have to say that he did good, I liked the fact that he was able to keep his southern accent and the "TI" feel, but still get into the role of Rashaad. I didn't understand why the movie had to be centered around the local skating rink, but thought it was different. Never before that I can remember have I seen a movie where they focus on the different skating groups. This movie really made me want to break out my skates from back in the day and hit the local rink, like I used when I was in middle school. I say it reminds me of Boys In the Hood, because you have a group of friends all trying to make it out of the hood and you really want to know who will make it out, alive anyway. The movie definitely had funny parts, that will keep you interested. I wouldn't say this was your typical hood movie though, because there wasn't a lot of killing and baby mama drama, I think it actually had somewhat of a family feel by providing you with in site on Rashaad's family, but also by making you see the importance of sticking together during hard times. If you are bored, need a good movie to watch, that's going to lift your spirits, this would be the one. I would definitely watch it again, because it was overall a good movie.

ATL (2006) is my favorite movie by far and always will be. Not only is the cast amazing, but it's a slice of reality; we're all able to relate to each character whether we want to admit it or not. This movie is amazing and I cannot stop watching it, I swear. I've been watching it for days and whenever I watch this movie, I feel good. It really is a feel-good movie. I completely fell in love with the class and you can really show how hard they worked in the special features. In fact, I would LOVE it if there was a sequel to this movie; it's amazing. No matter where you come from, you can relate and soon like this movie. You're able to see ACTUAL acting and actors that want to prove they've it to be big time actors. I love this movie so much that at times, I forgot that they were acting. 10/10 WITHOUT A DOUBT. PLEASE WATCH. I LOVE THIS MOVIE.

This movie hit home for me. I went through a lot of the things that was captured, as well as the people around me. I'm tired of these critics downplaying movies like these. For most of the people in this movie, no acting was required, and the movie still came out great.Big ups to TI and Big Boi. That's what it is!!!

And for you so called "Critics," do me, and the rest of the hood, a favor... Go down to the ATL, or any hood that might be close to you. Listen to the way we talk, watch how we walk, just take a real good look at how we function. Then judge movies like this. True, this will never win an Oscar, but the hood loves it.

I don't normally rent movies that look ghetto. But after watching the previews on television, I thought I'd rent the movie. It was awesome. It is awe inspiring and shows you what true brotherhood is. T.I. played a really good character and it was interesting to see him in that role, truly unique, and he did an awesome job. The music was good too. It gives you a good feel for Atlanta, Georgia, and a good understanding of where the characters were coming from. This movie is a good coming of age story as well, and the city plays a very important part of this film. I recommend it to all my friends, and I haven't received any complaints. I definitely am going to see this movie again.

If Breakfast Club is a thoroughly mediocre movie that gets a 7.8 just because people get all sentimental and can relate to all of its style and stereotypes, then ATL is getting a 4.1 because IMDb.com users are not getting sentimental and can't relate to it. I'm going to be kind and not cry racism, but rather demographics. They storyline is relevant to those can relate to it. Is being smart and black selling out? Is the hood to be romanticized? Is life just bitches and rims? Is selling weed better than working at Wendy's? What is the penalty for being fake? How do blacks keep it real after they attain success and move to the big house on the hill? It's a good movie, not the 10 I gave it, but I just gave it a 10 to combat the undeserved 4.1. If Breakfast Club gets a 7.8, then ATL gets a 7.8, even though both movies are great for what they are, adolescent coming of age movies.

In Breakfast Club, jock, princess and freak all get together and maybe the adult authority figures gain understanding as well. Is that any different than what happens in ATL? Just the demographics are different, although the story is universal.

I really just wanted to credit T.I.'s performance in ATL. He was perfect, and really came across as Rashad, I mean not that he isn't perfect already. I loved this movie, and not just because T.I.'s sexiness kept my eyes on the screen at all times, but also because it was a well written and well directed story, so much so that I cried when something 'moving' happened, and that was often. It's not just the typical gansta movie, it's a real story, with real people, real problems and real solutions. With his career soaring in the music industry and this fantastic debut, I really hope to see the KING staring in a film again, and very soon. I also thought Lauren London's performance was wonderful and I think she is gorgeous. On the whole this was just a good movie for us young people, and it helped some see a different side of T.I.

The previews made the movie seem as though it's some kind of gangster movie, but except some of the drug content that was talked about in the movie, it was pretty much a fair one. The whole crew (T.I, Ross, Weaver, Daniels, and Long) played good roles, Weaver was the comic relief of the movie between all five of them. The girls (London, Khadijah, Veda, and others) played their roles pretty well. The twins were funny as far as the girls go. And also the veteran actors (David, Williams) were very good. It was predictable and the dialog between the actors were a little too childish. Yet it was funny and turned out to be a feel-good movie which would be great for young people.

In having some sweet hookups, I was fortunate enough to attend the official premiere of this movie last week. I was unfortunate enough to have sat through this entire movie.

Being born and raised here in Atlanta, I've been psyched to see this movie ever since I first saw advertisements for it on television. What a let down. At first the movie seemed promising, capturing southern charm and portraying local famous spots of the city (the fox theater, the waffle house, etc). Then the movie turned sour. I felt as if it made Atlanta seem like a trap and made the people of the city seem ghetto (and annoying!). Being from a town 5 miles west of Mechanicsville (where this movie takes place) I was offended. It turned out to be one of those typical "black man trying to make it out of the hood" movies....sick of it already!

The only good part about me seeing this movie was that it was for free. If I had wasted my hard earned cash on this flick, I would've been angry.

Hip hop/rap is not ATL and this movie is not Atlanta. This movie is just an abomination and a total waste of celluloid.

I only went to a screening because I'm originally from Atlanta, but even for free, I'm sorry I wasted the gas.

The characters aren't even the slightest bit sympathetic, they're just jerks played by bad actors and actresses.

If you visit Atlanta thinking that it's the cool hip place shown in this film, you're wasting your time. Atlanta is nothing remotely like the ATL in the movie. It's a fun place to live, but not like the ATL.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! How does Hollywood come up with this worthless, totally unredeeming crap?

I saw the sneak preview of this movie & was blown away by the depth of the characters & how good the acting of T.I. among others was. The soundtrack was outstanding depending on if you like hip-hop/R&B or not. Never the less, this is definitely a must see & not just for blacks. This movie is a wonderful doorway to "black America" for anyone who is curious about our culture. Its PG-13 which made it that much better because there was no over saturation of violence & profanity, which is unfortunately always prevalent in "black movies" of today. Again, this is a must see movie, do yourself a favor & check it out ASAP. To give you some perspective on it, heres a list of some of my all time favorite flicks; American History X, All 3 Lord of the Rings, especially the last one. Malcolm X, Glory, Empire of the Sun, The Matrix, THe Motorcycle Diaries, The Godfather, Prince of the City, Serpico, Full Metal Jacket, City of God, Goodfellas, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The Color Purple, Heat, Return of the Jedi. Obviously there are a lot that I missed, but I'm sure you get the point.

ATL was FABULOUS! I have to admit, I was so traumatized by Boyz In the Hood I waited for ATL on video. So much more enjoyable, educational and necessary for everyone to see. Your Special Features helped me appreciate the film all the more. Dr. Chris, You put it down! Antwon Fisher, you're becoming a main-line, "must see anything with your name on it" person for me! To The Young, All Beautiful, African American Cast and Diverse Crew: BRAVO! EXCELLENT WORK! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!I can't wait to see your next project. Thank you for having God in it! Continued growth, productions, paid-off-patience, and success to you all. SINCERELY & THANK YOU

Let me first off by saying I am a African-American male in his late twenties who is not impressed by the current state of hip hop today. With the exception of Common, Mos Def, Kanye West, and some Jay z. I don't care too much for hip hop today. I like everyone who thinks like me was skeptical about the Movie but after last night of advanced screening this movie I have to say I was truly truly impressed and will most definitely see it again. This movie is a wonderful movie to take family members too. Yes thats right its a good family flick in my opinion. The acting was crisp and Well done. Ti really surprised me he did a wonderful job acting. His character is not to far from his personality but I can see the man has a stage presence much like Tyrese. What I love about the movie the most is the mixture of 80's and 90's and present time. What I mean by that i, it has a mixture of all of those eras but its realistic cause that is how it is now. This movie has it all hot girls, humor, realism, and again very very safe to take the kids to see. So trust me when I say this movie will and should do well at the box office. Worth the price of admission. Well Matinée price anyway.

-- WARNING! This film review contains spoilers. If you haven't seen this film, you may want to before reading this review -- ATL is a coming-of-age story concerning Rashad and his friends in their final year of high school and on the verge of adulthood. Rashad and his brother Ant lives with Uncle George and works with him as part of his custodial company. When not working, he spends time with his friends: Esquire, also known as, Benjamin Gordon, Teddy and Brooklyn at the Waffle House and they are not as a team call "The Ones", at a skating rink called Cascade.

Meanwhile, no longer under the watchful eyes of Rashad, Ant begins to become involved with a drug dealer named Marcus and begins to sell weed for him. He also starts dating a girl named Tondie, who takes a liking to him only after he begins to make money through drug dealing.

Things began to soon fall apart: Ant is arrested for selling weed, in which Rashad grabs Ant, pushes him in the house, tells him to get in the room, but Ant yells at him saying, "You ain't nobody's dad!", after Rashad tells him, "I ain't playing with you, bro.", and also beats his brother until Uncle George gets Rashad and tells him to let him go in his room and tells him that, "Ant is gonna do what he wants to do. A few extra dollars in the house ain't gonna hurt nothing." He also finds out the real truth about Erin once Esquire tells him about her.

That's the plot of this movie.

The editing is really good, it can get a little awkward at some points, but I still love the editing by David Blackburn.

The film's budget was at $20 million dollars and it was really a challenge to make this film, but this film went on and make just $21 million dollars, but they are doing a sequel because T.I. has announced it and it shows with a picture of him and Lauren London.

The acting is just incredible. T.I., as the main protagonist and narrator of the story, Rashad Swann, is really amazing and very good in his first feature film.

ATL was the first film debut for the director, Christopher Robinson, and the majority of it's cast including Evan Ross, as Anton Swann, the younger brother of Rashad, he said that this made his first film debut easier, since it was also his co-star's debut.

Lauren London as New-New / Erin Garnett, the love interest of Rashad and the daughter of John Garnett.

Jackie Long as Benjamin Gordon / Esquire is really amazing in his performance, and the other two boys: Albert Daniels and Jason Weaver, as Brooklyn and Teddy, just really shines and they really do shines out.

Antwan Andre Patton, also known as Big Boi, who plays the drug dealer and our main antagonist Marcus, the drug dealer that Ant begins to work for. He also plans to lure Anton from Rashad for his own profit. This was also his film debut and he pulls off his portrayal of Marcus wonderfully. Keith David, Mykelti Williamson and Lonette McKee as John Garnett, Uncle George and Priscilla Garnett may have a little bit of scenes, but they still shine out, especially Mykelti Williamson, who performed the role of Uncle George wonderfully, even in the scenes with T.I. and Evan Ross are beautifully written and when he says to T.I. in the first conversation about Ant's drug problem, "A woman does not want a man with two dumb-ass kids and no money.", was really well written.

I will give credit to Chris Robinson and Tina Gordon-Chism, who directed and wrote the screenplay, from a story written by Antwone Fisher.

Now, I get to the musical score by Aaron Zigman. It is really well-done and also the song choices that they made for this movie was really cool.

The one song that was really cool for me to hear was T.I.'s song, "What You Know", and also the other two songs I really did like to hear was K-Rab featuring D4L's "Bubble Gum" and "Money in the Bank", performed by Lil Scrappy featuring Young Buck.

So, overall, with ATL, I can't hate it, but it does make a good feature film debut for TI and Evan Ross, as well as Big Boi and Lauren London, who would all later play in other movies.

Big Boi would play in Idlewild, Lauren London would later play in Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family, This Christmas and the main lead role in The Game, which will end with season nine on BET, Evan Ross, who would later play the producer of this movie, Dallas Austin in CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story and in the movie Pride, and for T.I., who would go on to be in American Gangster, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas and Russell Crowe as Detective Richie Roberts, go on his own TV show, "T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle", which is on VH1 and in the upcoming 2015 Marvel Studios' film, "Ant-Man", and I can't wait to see all of them in the upcoming sequel, ATL 2, which does not have a release date yet. The movie also has cameos by Jazze Pha and Monica, some really good memorable quotes and a good hip-hop soundtrack that will get you wanting to go out to the club and turn up.