Four brothers gather in the Detroit home of their adoptive mother, who was gunned down in an apparent robbery of a convenience store. It soon becomes clear that her death was a hit, not random violence. Raised with unconditional love by this spirited woman, these four incorrigible boys have grown into strong willed men, a far cry from what they may have become if not for Evelyn Mercer. Two black and two white, the Mercer brothers are bound by circumstances thicker than blood, and determined to avenge their mother’s murder.

Mark Wahlberg, as Bobby, is a hotheaded loner, given to explosive impulse. Angel (Tyrese Gibson) is a smooth operator with the women but he risks his life to reunite with Sofi (Sofia Vergara). Jeremiah (Andre Benjamin) remained in Detroit, close to their mother, paying her bills, and building his dream of success as a businessman, along with his supportive wife Camille (Taraji P. Henson of "Hustle & Flow"). Jack (Garrett Hedlund) is a tattooed, hard rock band member, with an unexpected sensitivity.

Another very familiar face belongs to Terrence Howard ("Hustle & Flow" and "Crash") as police investigator Lt. Green, who grew up with the Mercer brothers. This talented actor, who’s been around for awhile, has definitely made a breakthrough this year.

The villain in this piece is Victor Sweet, whose personality is diametrically opposed to that notion. Portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor ("Dirty Pretty Things" and "Love Actually"), Sweet is the epitome of mean tempered, well manicured, cashmere and fur clad fury; a Detroit thug.

The film presents an edgy yet at times humorous look at the conditions and the characters that make up the urban underpinning of some cities struck by economic and social blight. The flow of the dialogue is natural, and the back and forth sexual and racial epithets between the brothers is what you’d expect from them.

The action is in your face. And the scene of the Mercer house under siege, firebombs and gunshots blazing, and police sirens wailing in the background¾ about 20 minutes late¾ is believable.

Music plays an integral role in the movie, which features a dynamic Motown soundtrack. Marvin Gaye’s "Trouble Man" sets the tone and the lyrics "Smiling faces tell lies…" tells the truth. Echoes of "Shaft" and "Superfly" hang in the air. John Singleton’s (no relation) "boyz in the hood" have grown up.