Before the movie even hit the box-office, Forbes magazine had already deemed it an "Oscar-worthy masterpiece."

The Hate U Give is based on the New York Times bestseller by Angie Thomas and portrays the raw honesty and emotion from the novel in a cinematic gem. The film stars some of the most iconic actors/actresses of this generation like rapper Common, Anthony Mackie, Regina Hall and at the center of the movie, the incredible Amandla Stenberg.

The story revolves around Stenberg's character, Starr, and her identity as a young black girl in the world we live in today. Though living in a predominately Black neighborhood, Starr attends a high school where she is simply the girl with fly kicks among the majority of white students.

When a childhood friend is fatally shot by a police officer in front of her, Starr is conflicted between the two worlds she lives in and deciding on what the right thing to do is.

The Hate U Give explores not only the atrocity of police brutality but also delves into a character crisis like no other, the one that resides in most young people of color. It gives an emotional account of every side of the story and bluntly portrays the situations for exactly what they are even in all their complexity.

The shooting of Starr's friend, Khalil (played by Algee Smith), strikes an incredibly sensitive nerve for the Black community. The scene of the shooting is so incredibly honest and vivid that there was not a single dry eye in the theatre. One of the opening scenes is staged at a family dinner table and surrounds the discussion of "the talk," a conversation the majority of Black and Hispanic parents have with their children on what to do when interacting with police.

The picture does a remarkable job of not villanizing individual officers but exposing the truths of the systems and the people it affects. The plot is excellently executed and gives an incredibly insightful perspective for viewers who otherwise may not understand the way people of color feel or the movement they support.

Intertwined with the storyline of police brutality is the dynamic of Starr's relationships with her friends and family. In the chaos of Khalil's murder, both of Starr's worlds come colliding towards one another. One one hand, there's the white boyfriend who claims to not see color and on the other, a police officer uncle who offers an explanation for the mindset of cops.

This is a truth that so many young black individuals face today—having to stand for something so strongly even if those around you see things differently. The film illustrates an incredible journey of self-identity and defining your stance in the midst of others opinions.

Angie Thomas set out to produce a story that could be idolized as both a means of empathy and education. The movie further accomplishes Thomas's goal by providing unforgettable imagery to a heart-wrenching story. It evokes emotion like no other and a story that is unforgettable. I encourage everyone to go out and see this film. Submit yourself to 135 minutes of a perspective you may otherwise not always see and watch these characters tell the story that so many Black Americans live today.

In the same Forbes article, it closes with "It is arguably the best superhero movie of the year, as well as easily the year's best YA flick. As a time capsule, it is invaluable... it is unimpeachable...it is incredible. This one's a new classic, folks." I couldn't agree more and after watching the film, and you will too.