Watch out Ludacris, there’s a new game in town. Rapper, T.I., the self-proclaimed “King of the South,” jump starts his acting career with last week’s premiere of “ATL.”

This coming of age comedy follows four boys from an intercity neighborhood in Atlanta through their last five weeks of high school as they grapple with personal challenges and confront the ultimate question of “what’s next.”

The film is neatly packed with just the right amount of humor and a surprisingly well-executed plot that will keep any audience tuned in. Although slightly predictable, the film is simply enjoyable.

Audiences get to see a softer side of T.I. in his leading role as Rashad, an undercover dreamer who is left to be “the man of the house” at only 17, after losing his parents in a car accident. His nights are spent working as a janitor to help make ends meet and his days are plagued with worrying about the direction his hardheaded brother Ant (Evan Ross) might be going in.

Ant is that smart-mouthed kid from high school that we all secretly hoped would show up to class and keep things interesting. He has always been good at staying in trouble, but when Ant is lured into the “dope boy” world of easy money, respect and violence, he just might have taken the bad-boy image a little too far.

Fitted from head to toe in an all pink getup, the iced-out, fast-talking, dope dealer is played by Big Boy from the hip-hop duo “Outkast.” He is the villain that makes being bad look so good.

While Ant is being lured in by the easy money in drug dealing, Rashad nurtures a new love interest who is known around the neighborhood as “New-New” (Lauren London). With disappointment and deceit plaguing life at home, New-New seems to be the only real thing Rashad can count on. This bonafide “ghetto fabulous” southern girl, most notoriously known for “rockin’ the new-new gear” is more mystery than what appears on the surface. As she and Rashad get closer, her secret becomes harder to keep from him. Eventually, twists and turns for the worst push Rashad near breaking point.

Nevertheless, there is no shortage of laughs with Rashad’s goofy company always clownin’ around.

His buddies, Esquire, Brooklyn and Teddy each face unique obstacles in the every day battle to make something of themselves. Amidst all the pressure of being young, black, and disadvantaged, these young men have a weekly escape every Sunday night: the local roller skating rink, called Cascades. For them, this is the only place where there are “no lies, no pain, no worries about what tomorrow may bring.” In what seems like the fraternities of Atlanta’s black skating world, groups coordinate impressive routines and gather weekly to show off their skills.

The cast of C-List actors and rookies brought an enjoyable rawness to the film, giving it an authentic feel. They took hold of their characters and delivered believable performances that had lots of heart. There’s nothing worse than paying top dollar to sit in front of a big screen for two hours while Hollywood newbies try and figure out how to pull off edgy, ‘street’ roles when it’s painfully obvious to audiences that they just can’t relate to their characters. These actors delivered that edge with ease.

T.I. doesn’t miss a beat in his breakout role. Playing an inner city teen from Atlanta, T.I. stayed close to his roots and at the same time gave audiences something brand new. As Rashad, he shows vulnerability and a playful side that humanizes him. His southern charm and adorable accent had ladies swooning during the oh-so passionate love scene with Lauren London. His overall performance is one of conviction and promises a successful crossover into Hollywood’s mainstream.

For more infornation on “ATL,” including tickets and showtimes in your area click here.

Elaine Welteroth can be reached at [email protected].

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