AllMovie

A cut above most gangsta-rap features, Jacked Up is hampered nonetheless. While the story and acting are well above the genre benchmarks -- which isn't saying much, seeing how woefully low the standards are -- the shoestring budget and fly-by-night nature of the filmmaking will keep away mainstream audiences. That said, those who refuse to compare urban dramas-with-action with movies that actually get released into theaters will be delightfully surprised at the compellingly twisted tale. A cast of hard-working newcomers, vaguely familiar rap stars and veteran Anna Maria Horsford holding down the center keeps things from getting too trite or boring.