ATL turns 20 years old today and really should be a bigger celebration. The 2006 film was a star vehicle for T.I. was in the upper echelon of rappers during this time. You should have seen the film by now, but in case you didnt heres a brief overview. It followed two teenage brothers as they navigate life in their neighborhood in Atlanta. While spending Sunday's at the local skate rink.
ATL as a movie is a couple things for Millennials. It's many Black millennial favorite coming of age film. It's our Juice, House Party, or Boyz n The Hood. The Wood maybe close to it, but ATL takes the lead. It's also the last of the mohicans when it comes to films that unapologetically embody the culture and became a culture. Even following the trope of random cameos that seemed shoehorned in just cause.
Stomp The Yard released a year later maybe..maybe could be in the conversation. However its not a classic or had the impact ATL has.
It weaved so many plot lines effortlessly that Millennials were experiencing at the time. T.I 's Rashad was tryna figure out life beyond high school, and falls in love with New New. New New played by Lauren London is over the top "hood" despite being insanely wealthy. Which is a common trait with wealthy people, more than most folks realize.
Ant gets into the hustle of dealing drugs. While Rashads best friend Esquire is tryna build his connections for college and get out the hood. It covers love, brotherhood, friendship, the 2000s hip hop and fashion culture, and roller skating. A huge pastime in the Atlanta area.
The movie is also Hella quotable. This one scene has like 4 or 5 quotable scenes by itself. Outkast rapper Big Boi stole every scene he was in by the way. While I wish the film had a official soundtrack to accompany the film, T.I. released his fourth album King days before the film released. Basically that was the films soundtrack.
While boomers have their Cooley High or Gen X have the films I mentioned earlier in addition to Crooklyn, Clueless, or American Pie. We will pass ATL down to our kids like a family heirloom.
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