New Jack City Pookie was a character they made you love. If you ever saw the 90s urban classic New Jack City, Pookie should definitely be one of the characters that come to mind. Pookie is played by Chris Rock who, at the time, was most famous for his bold and controversial style of stand-up comedy.
In the movie, Pookie was a cocaine addict who makes several honest attempts to change his life. Throughout the process he gets used by officer Scotty Appleton, played by Ice-T, in an attempt to bring down the notorious Nino Brown, played by Wesley Snipes. Pookie, without a doubt, is one of New Jack City’s most grievous characters. Chris Rock showed he had genuine acting abilities from the get-go in his career.
Pookie was born in Harlem, New York City in 1961 to a poor African-American family. Before being shot in the leg for taking drug money from undercover police officer, Scotty Appleton, Pookie was a stick up kid. In 1986, after being shot, Pookie became needy and poor. This made him to turn to drugs where he eventually becomes the drug addict you see in the film.
One evening, Appleton discovered Pookie battling with his girlfriend in an entryway over a piece of turkey and approached him in attempt persuade him to check into rehab. Pookie later did what Appleton requested and eventually recuperated, making him proud. Pookie wanted to repay Appleton for what he had done and offered to assist him with tracking Nino Brown to bring him down. Appleton was hesitant to do so, as he didn’t necessarily need Pookie and didn’t want him to get close to crack again. Pookie then shared that he previously had associations with Brown and could be very valuable. Appleton was hesitant, but eventually chose to allow him in on the operation. Appleton’s partner and boss were suspicious of allowing a previous drug user in on the process, expecting that he would backslide. However, Pookie’s experience as a criminal made him their best contender for the job that needed to be done.
Pookie filled in as a watchman at Brown’s Carter Apartments headquarters, utilizing a camera in his belt and a wire in his shirt to keep in contact with his police controllers. Pookie was subsequently advanced in the wake of getting a few new clients. However, Brown had Gee Money and Kareem Akbar oversee Pookie to ensure that he was faithful to their cause. Pookie later backslid into his drug use and he started to confront a few of Brown’s henchmen while high. Gee Money stood up to Pookie and tore open his shirt, discovering a wire. He then killed Pookie and burned the apartment burned down to eradicate Brown’s drug activity.
In one of his first roles, Chris Rock is convincing as the grieved and sad drug addict from Harlem. It’s a great experience seeing his initial acting experience play out on film. It’s also cool to watch rap artist, Ice-T, have a blast playing Scotty Appleton who, in the film, eventually goes head-to-head with actor Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown. It’s easy to see that Snipes is savoring each moment as he gets to play the ruthless and infamous modern-day Tony Montana. If you haven’t watched the film, now is the time. You’re welcome.
