Ignored and neglected by society, three young black Vietnam veterans from the Bronx plan a dangerous heist on a security van - and, of course, it all goes spectacularly wrong.

This is a downbeat, socially aware crime melodrama with a conscience from the Hughes Brothers (From Hell): it delivers some eye-catching footage on the violent action and human angst fronts, while remaining intelligent and bracing throughout.

Some remarkable sequences include the harrowing flashbacks to hero Larenz Tate's horrific tour of duty in Vietnam and his dead-end beginnings in the Bronx.

Chris Tucker puts in an early bid for stardom as Tate's crazed sidekick.

The title is slang for dollar bills, referring to the US presidents' faces on paper money.