Charm City Kings (2020) User Reviews (44)

Fresh Entertainment - A must watch !!!

[glenn_gallagher · 8/10 · 14 October 2020]

Unbelievable performances make this film.

I'm so happy this movie popped up on my radar and guarantee this will be an instant classic with todays youth. Solid story, cast and production. This movie is for "EVERYONE"

A fun ride that captures the essence of Baltimore

[ndewild · 8/10 · 1 February 2020]

Not a great film, but a good film. It has some really good ideas and a strong message that will speak to anyone who has grown up in the inner city.

I wish there had been more dirt bike driving and stunts, there is a very good scene that shows off some great action but because it is earlier on the movie slows down after that scene. If it had kept the pace of the action scene this film would of been the best action film of the year.

Just a guy who likes movies.

[scraperjb-88970 · 8/10 · 10 October 2020]

Good movie. The acting of the main character is really great. Its not really a movie about Baltimore bike culture. Its more of a movie a teenager figuring his place in the world. If you like drama character driven films you will like this.

Not enough

[xNecRosex · 6/10 · 26 December 2020]

There is very little one can find enjoyable in this film. It misses the mark in most cases, it's passable but very cliché ridden screenplay. Utterly stupid choices made by the characters throughout the movie just underscore the flaws in the screenplay. Cinematography etc is decent but it's just very empty and totally forgettable.

No need to watch this really.

Good story

[Gordon-11 · 28 December 2020]

The story is good, but takes too long to build up.

Better Than Expected

[Tri-State_Skater · 7/10 · 1 April 2021]

The trailer doesn't do the movie justice. It's actually really good. At times I definitely felt "old" since I'm 28 and these kids are middle schoolers, but it's still worth watching. The movie ended up having typical hood movie lessons, but it was actually portrayed by kids, which made it more heartbreaking. It reminded me of Stand by Me, A Bronx Tale, and The Goonies, so if you like those films I would recommend this one.

Great Story

[Prophetik · 8/10 · 23 November 2020]

Not everyone is about that life just cause they come from poverty and there brother was from somewhere some people have hidden talents that need to be out there and some find themselves down the wrong path and this movie show's that and what Meek Mill did at the end was something a real mann would do for a kid who isn't and would not survive and would never become his true passion and felt guilty about what happen and felt he atleast owed his friend that. Great Hood movie not everyone who adapts to their environment aspires to be a cold menace that the streets made them and some do escape. What was shown here wasnt hollywood it's real life. Some people have mentors in their lifes and some dont

Good, but not great *spoilers*

[zfigueiredo-58198 · 6/10 · 10 January 2021]

The movie was ok, certainly not the most original story and I feel it could have been better if they didn't make the main character so unlikable. I liked the bikes and I liked the bike crew wish they would have been shown more or showed the movie from their viewpoint. The kids kind of ruined it for me. The first thing I noticed and didn't like is that the three boys are identical to the characters from the Chi. We have the skinny, black main character then the edgy one with the locs and the funny fat one. Literally the Chi. The main character was just so annoying. Like I get that he is supposed to be a kid, but I rolled my eyes so much. Especially the ending. He leaves his friend bloody on the floor of a robbery and the runs to the person he didn't want to listen to and he gets saved? I was a screaming at the tv. Also anyone would have been able to poke all kind of holes in that confession there was way too many things that wouldn't have added up with Meek supposedly being the one who committed the robbery. So that whole meek goes off to jail and the main character just becomes a good boy was so unrealistic.

I smiled when I saw the dog on the porch at the end though. The end.

Charm City Kings

[sceymons · 10/10 · 21 March 2021]

No matter what the critics may say about this film. This film was moving from the beginning until the end. I was intrigued by every aspect of the movie. Charm City Kings seriously deserves an award. I'm not from Philly, and I still understood the philosophy of it all. The directors did a great job and we hope to see a part 2 to the film 🎞.

Charm City Kings

[marmar-69780 · 7/10 · 12 October 2020]

Charm City Kings was a interesting film to experiance and it showed me how life in Baltimore is going on and how its culture and way of living is effecting people.Since im not even close from living there,i cant say how realistic this film potreyed such staff,only i can do here is to judge film quality and i give it a positive watch in end.Characters were interesting and releatable even if they are from far different culture then me ,i was still able to understand why they are doing staff like this and risk their safety every day.Charm City Kings was a good and solid film that shows us how different cultures live and breathe

I Felt Like I Was Watching A Weekly Crime Show

[zac-68274 · 5/10 · 10 October 2020]

Great cast; (Meek Mill is a Natural). Ideal concept with flawed Directing & average cinematography with Only 1 maybe 2 characters enunciating a Baltimore accent. Really disappointed that Will & Jada Smith(Executive Producers) life long experience in front and behind the camera just totally abandoned the direction and editing of this movie.

Charm City Kings is a brilliant and beautiful drama, with focus on authenticity and realism

[Holt344 · 9/10 · 25 May 2021]

Charm City Kings is an HBO Max original directed by Angel Manuel Soto. The story follows Mouse which is brilliantly by Jahi Di'Allo Winston, Mouse is a Fourteen-year-old bright young boy who lives with his younger sister and mother. Mouse desperately wants to join the Midnight Clique, an infamous group of Baltimore dirt-bike riders. As the story continues we get to see the lives of Mouse and his two friends. Meek Mill and Will Catlett also stars in this film, bringing impressive and realistic performances.

Charm City Kings is truly an amazing film but it isn't for everyone, I loved every single minute of it. There's great writing in this film, the dialogue is both authentic and realistic. The film isn't entirely based on a true story but it sure feels like it, it's based on a documentary though. There's so much heart, both for the characters and Baltimore City.

The filmmaker, cast and crew created a phenomenal film that everyone should experience at least once. It might be among the best drama's out there that is focused on these topics and themes.

Spoiler

[Lavishtaylor-752-791089 · 7/10 · 5 December 2020]

Great cast , Meek did his thing so proud of his performance. Mouse the actor did an excellent job , but mouse the character was terrible and a lot of people suffered because of his stupidity and mistakes. Other than that loved seeing Baltimore, and everything this film had to offer .

Disappointed

[jacquelineadillard · 3/10 · 26 October 2020]

The ending was really disappointing! The fact no one was truly held responsible was terrible. For someone to get a second chance of life, to them forfeit it because you believe it's the right thing because of your past mistakes is Terrible! Those boys and officer will go through life with that heavy cross on their back.

A good character-driven story

[Abdulxoxo · 7/10 · 10 October 2022]

Charm city kings follows a young fourteen year old boy who goes by the name Mouse, from the inner city of Baltimore, Maryland, who is simply enamored by the streetbike culture he's been influenced by since he was barely old enough to walk. The movie's biggest strength is its technical elements and the performance. The cinematography in this film is beautiful with some interesting camera work. The music is good too. The film relies on the lead actor to do most of the heavy lifting and for the most parts he does a good job, although there are some instances where he could be better. The supporting cast also helps keep this film together. As for the story and characters, I thought they were both predictable and cliched. There are many places that the story could go to make this feature a standout but it plays it safe and chose the predictable direction. Moreover, the pacing slows down a lot in the middle act which kinda hurts the experience. On the whole, a solid coming of age film with some good performance and technical elements but the script could have been more gripping.

A Gripping Look at Baltimore's Bike Culture

[Mysterygeneration · 6/10 · 28 February 2024]

A glance inside the world of dirt bike riders and the sense of community they offer, Charm City Kings delves deep into Baltimore. Mouse, who is fourteen years old and desperate for approval, decides to join the notorious Midnight Clique. The film skillfully captures the excitement and peril that exist in their environment, highlighting both the companionship and the difficult realities of living on the periphery.

The youthful group of actors brings vitality to their roles, especially in Jahi Di'Allo Winston's portrayal of Mouse. His tenacity and fragility strike a deep chord, encapsulating the difficulties of puberty in the face of adversity. With its colorful streets and portrayal of the challenges its citizens endure, the movie masterfully captures the essence of Baltimore. The story gains depth and texture from this authenticity, which also makes it seem realistic and approachable. The facts of the protagonists' life are not sugarcoated in Charm City Kings. It explores the moral nuances of their decisions and invites contemplation on the structures and situations that influence them.

Even if the movie's setting and ideas are original, some of the plot's echoes of components seen in coming-of-age movies may seem familiar. The movie deals with serious subjects and doesn't hold back when presenting the terrible truths of the characters' lives. This could be too emotionally taxing for certain viewers.

2020's Best Film

[ClayW318 · 9/10 · 8 October 2020]

Oh my God. What a movie. I was pleasantly surprised to see this drop on HBO Max today, and I wasted no time in watching. Absolutely fantastic coming-of-age story, that has an amazing setting to support it. First off, Jahi Di'Allo Winston is gonna be an absolute star, and he might already be one now. He was amazing! The accents in this movie, especially from Winston, were just spot on. Every character was tremendously acted in my opinion. Meek Mill gave a great and impactful performance in his limited time. Teyonah Parris was awesome, literally everyone! The music was amazing in the movie as well, and there were some really nice shots! Really, Charm City Kings gave me everything I could've asked for. I had high expectations, but I didn't know it'd turn into what I'd consider the best movie of 2020. Please give this a watch! It's a great, inspiring, and just amazing film, that will leave you with many different emotions. Score: 99/100

Beautiful, well-written, and well-acted

[k_j_foster74 · 9/10 · 11 October 2020]

This film bring the audience into the life/mind of a sensitive, neighborhood kid on the cusp of adulthood. The dialogue and interactions feel authentic and creatively captures many aspects of "Black" culture. The emotion is constant and though it didn't leave me speechless- it certainly stayed with me and I shed some tears. See this film!!!- if you let yourself just be a fly on the wall, you will be rewarded.

BAD ACTOR!!

[lysa-82059 · 5/10 · 11 October 2020]

The kid Mouse is not like any kid in Baltimore! Period. He is was to soft and emotional. This movie is fairly good EXCEPT his character. HAIR!SWAG!LOOKS waaaaaay off! The baby boys here have more swag and are harder then the actor. The actor doesn't fit the role. Sorry Pooh!

They didn't miss with this one.

[stoermok · 10/10 · 22 December 2020]

Why was Meek's hollywood debut so damn well performed and on such a pivotal role? It's such a criminally underrated/good movie.

Terribly written.

[wivavog · 1/10 · 6 November 2020]

Very disappointing to say the least. Not that well written. Not that interesting. Its pretty predictable the whole way through. Cinematography is probably the strongest strength. But even that leaves much to be desired. The lead actor " mouse" was pretty annoying. The strongest acting was done by the gang. You rarely see and meek was decent. For what little screen time he had. I kept think its 2hrs long it has to get better..... But it never does. Just reaches a predictable ending. On the wrong side of entertaining the whole way through! 2 Thumbs down for sure. A regretful way to spend 2 + hrs of life.

Loved it!!

[mrtibbs464 · 10/10 · 15 October 2020]

This generation's Set it Off...Meek did his thing!

Better than expected

[bka_tony · 8/10 · 14 October 2020]

Great movie, my only complaint is how they emulated The Chi with the kids.

Predictable and not very interesting

[sadiabarichella · 2/10 · 8 November 2020]

Predictable and not very interesting but great acting. The story line needed to be a bit more original and the ending was really poor. Left me feeling no real emotion nor could I understand the characters

Great movie

[kcsmhyry · 9/10 · 17 October 2021]

The movie was great! Shows how life and culture is in Baltimore, the acting was great by meek mill in this movie and the rest of the cast. Ending of the movie showed how dangerous the life of crime really is.