A police academy graduate (Omar Epps) risks life and soul when he goes under cover to bring down a ruthless crime boss called God (LL Cool J) in this nearly all-black action thriller that entertains and excites, without ever being particularly special. Playing like a remake of one of the violent 'blaxploitation' movies of the Seventies, it even features an iconic appearance by Pam Grier as the cop, plus an extended cameo from Stanley Tucci. But, even with strong performances, taut direction and a credibly written script, this faces an uphill fight to survive in an overcrowded area of film-making.