 John Singleton s portrayal of social problems in inner-city Los Angeles takes the form of a tale of three friends growing up together  in the  hood.  Half-brothers Doughboy and Ricky Baker are foils for each other s personality, presenting very different approaches to the tough lives they face. Ricky is the  All-American  athlete, looking to win a football scholarship to USC and seeks salvation through sports, while  Dough  succumbs to the violence, alcohol, and crime surrounding him in his environment, but maintains a strong sense of pride and code of honor. Between these two is their friend Tre, who is lucky to have a father,  Furious  Styles, to teach him to have the strength of character to do what is right and to always take responsibility for his actions.