ANOTHER movie about growing up in Queens, New York, in the 1980s is hardly necessary even if, like this, the story is based on someone's real life experiences.

Dito Montiel writes and directs a film based on his own memoir about growing up on the mean streets of Astoria. None of this is particularly new to cinema audiences.

You may well get a feeling that you've been here, seen that before. But his film has a vitality and urgency lacking in others that have covered the same territory. Downey Jr stars as the adult Dito, looking back on the summer of 1986 as his younger self battled to stay true to his background but also make something of his life.

A visit to the old neighbourhood triggers memories of those days, to events and people that shaped his life. The young Dito (LaBeouf) is shown with the likes of his childhood sweetheart Laurie (Melonie Diaz), a Scot who wants to be a punk musician (Compston) and his best friend Antonio (Tatum). Downey Jr, Palminteri and Wiest provide the experience among a mainly youthful cast of rising stars.

Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Shia LaBeouf, Chazz Palminteri, Dianne Wiest, Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Martin Compston
Running time: 100 mins
Rating: Three stars