The production was decent yet the interviews were stereotypical, one-sided and lacked depth for both the Law Enforcement and former gang members. Cops/DEA: good guys; Barnes, et al: bad guys. Basically following the timeline of the Barnes operation, from its beginnings in the streets of NYC to his incarceration, with no new information was presented. The interviews should have been an opportunity to flesh out the individuals more thoroughly, instead of relying on the sensational Thug-Life aspects, such as expounding upon the reasons why a young Harlem boy would say that Mr Barnes was his hero as opposed to the World Series winner Mr. Jackson. In fact, Mr. Barnes DID have other business AND community interests besides drugs in NYC - Harlem in particular. He was instrumental in getting the Apollo Theater renovated, he opened clubs and grocery stores (providing jobs to local residents), provided funds to after school, breakfast and lunch programs for children and the homeless. He was known to furnish the apartment of many families following a fire or other tragedy and/or providing one for those who lost them. Every year during his tenure a truck would pull up in neighborhoods around Harlem during Thanksgiving filled with Turkeys and TVs, furnishings, clothing, etc. for Christmas. He could also be found walking around Harlem handing out money to children and the indigent. In addition there was no mention, by the law enforcement interviewees, of the complicity by thousands of police officers - even entire precincts - that took pay offs from Mr. Barns and his crew for a variety of services, including hits. The implementation of the Rockefeller Drug laws, now a pock mark upon the history of inner cities in this country destroying communities in Harlem, the Bronx and Brooklyn much more than Barnes or his ilk ever could, was glossed over like a sound bite. There are many missed opportunities for a more balanced and compelling documentary here, yet I would suggest folks watch it for an interesting look at the products of a soul less culture, regarding a country that produces the kind of desperation and greed surrounding drugs and its trade.
