An engaging cast makes this hood-based gang story an easy watch that entertains without being particularly challenging. It's not exactly a blaxploitation film despite having some of the expected elements in play, it's more of a morality tale that happens to feature a mainly black cast. It's fun to see Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs in a very non-Kotter role and Bryan O'Dell is impressive as the central character.

Youngblood starts off with what seems like it’s going to be a cautionary tale of high school kids going off the tracks. In actuality the film is about gang warfare. The focus of the film is a fifteen year old aptly named Youngblood, at first it seems that he and his friends are just up to random teenage hijinks. Then the tone changes dramatically as Youngblood decides to not take the advice of his mother and well to do brother and decides to join a gang. He becomes a member after he bare handily takes down an opposing gang member with a knife and cuts off his gang tag. Low budget and a pretty obscure late entry in the ‘70s Blaxploitation craze, but still definitely worth a look for this funky little gem.

Fairly unadventurous cautionary tale of the 'hood. Young gang members cross paths with the mob, with an interesting subplot about a Black Vietnam vet finding himself unable to secure a job. Best part of this is the great soundtrack by War, something even the movie itself seems aware of since the band gets more prominent credits placement than any of the actors or filmmakers.

Gang warfare explodes in Los Angeles all to the funky soundtrack of WAR in Youngblood. When a black teen joins up with a ruthless gang, their exploits unknowingly seeps into his older brother’s drug operation. Equally gritty and groovy, Youngblood is a solid slice of blaxploitation that addresses social division and the growing drug epidemic with its action less glamorous and more representative of what it takes to stay alive on the wrong side of the tracks.

At times it starts edging towards a great 70s film of youth gone bad, but is also pretty pedestrian at other times, feeling a bit too "seat of your pants" filming. Reminds me of those films from the era, like JOE, about the self destructive decisions we make without apology to end well. Jacobs is his best in this film.

Hey, Mister Kot-taire! There are some good performances in this, especially from your former student, Sweathog Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington but ultimately this film leaves you wanting something more.

A gang decided to clear the pushers out of town. It is war (and WAR provides the soundtrack).

While released near the end of the Blackspolation cycle, this doesn’t follow the tropes of many of those films. It’s very low key and not overly dramatic. It feels ‘real’. And depressing.

I did enjoy it.

Groovy and vivid tale unfortunately feels muted and incomplete.  Gritty, but maybe not gritty enough.   Well shot, with a good score by War, but slight and forgettable.   Interesting to see Hilton-Jacobs away from his patented Welcome Back, Kotter role.

If directed and adapted better from the screenplay. This could have been a more suspenseful and thrilling joint. The main cast gives give off vibes of having a true brotherhood and it shows. Just wish the film had better conclusion and not so much open ended.

Gang warfare explodes in Los Angeles all to the funky soundtrack of WAR in Youngblood. When a black teen joins up with a ruthless gang, their exploits unknowingly seeps into his older brother’s drug operation. Equally gritty and groovy, Youngblood is a solid slice of blaxploitation that addresses social division and the growing drug epidemic with its action less glamorous and more representative of what it takes to stay alive on the wrong side of the tracks.

Unfairly labeled a 'blacksploitation' film, it's more of a street-level gang drama.

Youngblood starts off with what seems like it’s going to be a cautionary tale of high school kids going off the tracks. In actuality the film is about gang warfare. The focus of the film is a fifteen year old aptly named Youngblood, at first it seems that he and his friends are just up to random teenage hijinks. Then the tone changes dramatically as Youngblood decides to not take the advice of his mother and well to do brother and decides to join a gang. He becomes a member after he bare handily takes down an opposing gang member with a knife and cuts off his gang tag. Low budget and a pretty obscure late entry in the ‘70s Blaxploitation craze, but still definitely worth a look for this funky little gem.

An engaging cast makes this hood-based gang story an easy watch that entertains without being particularly challenging. It's not exactly a blaxploitation film despite having some of the expected elements in play, it's more of a morality tale that happens to feature a mainly black cast. It's fun to see Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs in a very non-Kotter role and Bryan O'Dell is impressive as the central character.

At times it starts edging towards a great 70s film of youth gone bad, but is also pretty pedestrian at other times, feeling a bit too "seat of your pants" filming. Reminds me of those films from the era, like JOE, about the self destructive decisions we make without apology to end well. Jacobs is his best in this film.

Well-made coming of age story with a killer score by the band War.