Music biopics are a difficult genre to sell.

While countless artists have lived lives practically written for the screen, only a handful of movies have excelled at telling their story. Straight Outta Compton defines the history of N.W.A., the rap supergroup that launched the careers of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E and, by association, nearly every other significant name in ’90s hip-hop. Director F. Gary Gray casts a wide net in this project and has delivered a film that resonates beyond expectation.

Straight Outta Compton displays a grand understanding of its music. It’s easy to tell the story of how iconic songs came to be written, but Compton goes a full step further.

There’s a real effort taken to explain why “Straight Outta Compton” (the song) resonated with a generation, and the effect it had over society. It’s the peripheral details that make the movie effective, the quick glances at history happening just outside a tour bus window. Contextualizing N.W.A. is critical to understanding the band’s significance, and it’s all delivered in the atmosphere.

Gray shoots Compton with a bold eye, soaking in every second of excess and intensity. He makes the story feel grand, almost mythic in scale.

A sequence in which Ice Cube records the iconic diss track “No Vaseline” is stunningly cut together against Eazy-E listening to it for the first time. A recreation of the Rodney King riots raises all-too-familiar goosebumps. A hotel room party is captured in a single fluid take, showcasing the superstar lifestyle under both real and fantastic lights.

Of course, the true focus of the film is on the iconic trio: Dre, Cube, and Eazy-E. Their unification, falling out and following careers showcase the true arc of the film. It’s here that the challenge of Gray’s scope becomes a bit more apparent. Compton essentially attempts to tell three concurrent narratives in one film, each of which has a personal story that frankly deserves more time. While the first two acts excel at building these characters and relationships, the last third feels pressed for time. Iconic moments of early ’90s rap are touched upon rapidly, losing the delicate pace and atmosphere core to the experience. Cameo appearances by actors portraying Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg feel almost like fan service, contributing little to the final product.

The world of gangsta rap is difficult to explain to an outsider, a trait taken on with intention. Straight Outta Compton accomplishes something beautiful by making it seem understandable. You may not leave the theater a fan of N.W.A’s music, but you will gain an immense respect for its creators.

Follow Chris Berg on Twitter @Mushroomer25