A Complete Sneaker Guide To Spike Lee's 'Do The Right Thing'

Extra cheese is two dollars.

Dec 20, 2011
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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Still have some last-minute holiday shopping to do for a sneaker freak in your circle? If they don't already have it, Do The Right Thing is a must for any DVD/Blu-Ray collection. The flick dropped in 1989 and represented everything that was going down in do-or-die Bed-Stuy. Do The Right Thing is a classic cinematic piece directed, produced, written, and starred in by the New York Knickerbockers number one fan, Spike Lee. In the late '80s, fashion was all about the loud tank tops and baseball jerseys paired with a fresh pair of kicks. No matter what problems were going down in the neighborhood or what differences there were between races, one thing was for sure — everyone had to stay laced in something nice from Js to Cortezs. Complex takes you back to the era when Jordans cost you $100 ($108 with tax!) and a slice and a Coke was $2.50 — damn those were the days. Click here to see our gallery of A Complete Sneaker Guide To Spike Lee's 'Do The Right Thing'.

1.SCTrainer

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Nike Air Trainer III

Year (of Sneaker): 1988

The flick kicks off with our boy Mookie (Spike Lee) bouncing out of his sister Jade's (Spike's sister in real life too) crib to head over to Sal's Famous Pizzeria slangin' pies. When he's walking down the block interacting with numerous neighborhood staples we catch a glimpse of Mook in his "Medicine Ball" Nike Air Trainer IIIs. The kicks also take us through some of the film's other pivotal moments, including the scene where he gets the garbage can to kick-off the riot for Radio Raheem and his face-off with the bossman to end the movie. Damn Spike, no one shoe should have all that power.

2.Greco

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Nike Greco Supreme

Year (of Sneaker): 1987

For some reason, some people in the '80s thought wearing wrestling shoes as fashion was a good idea. (Don't look at us.) The thin-soled hightops were a precursor of sorts to the minimalist running shoes of today — and the shoe of choice for metal singers everywhere. These don't play as prevalent a part through the movie but the first shot we get of our dude Martin (in the classic Air Force IIs) you can catch them in the background. And our girl Rosie Perez appears to be wearing a pair during the classic intro.

3.JordanIV

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Air Jordan IV

Year (of Sneaker): 1989

Even if you've never seen Do The Right Thing (and, um, fix that please), you know about the infamous "he stepped on my brand-new white Jordans" scene or this has played a part in your own life — sympathize folks. Buggin' Out plays his part spazzin' on a dude rockin' Larry Bird gear — in Brooklyn? We also catch a few other shots of Buggin' Out rocking the crisp white IVs as he brings the ruckus throughout the flick. Word to the lacing pattern and the ankle weights.

4.Cortez

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Nike Cortez

Year (of Sneaker): 1974

The Cortez is as OG as a Nike sneaker gets — aside from the fact it wasn't really their shoe first. Whether you are chillin' on the stoop or holdin' down the pizzeria the Cortezs were getting a lot of love with all types of demographics. (And note the porch's worth of Nikes, from Air Force IIs to those insane Windrunners. The Swoosh kept Spike laced.)

5.NikeAirPlay

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Nike Air Play

Year (Of Sneaker): 1987


The Nike Air Play took cues from the Nike Court Force as far as designs with a more sleek cut. The shoe was mostly used for the tennis courts and during the late '80s was known for its extreme comfort, which might be why they were broke out during the films heat wave. (White on whites, check.) And like Mr. Nike said: “One more thing. If you decide to wear the Nike Air Play, be patient. While your opponent checks his gut."

6.NikeAirForceII

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Nike Air Force II

Year (of Sneaker): 1987


Worn in the NBA by Charles Barkley and Moses Malone (among many others), the Air Force II moved units in the late '80s and got some some retro love over the past few decades. These joints might have been a little bulky for the heat of summer NYC, even in all white. But that's what fire hydrants are for.

7.NikeRevolution

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Nike Air Revolution

Year (of Sneaker): 1987

Can we get a (proper) retro, Nike? Take a close look at Radio Raheem's kicks and you will see the biological father to the Air Jordan III. The sole, Air unit, and plastic lace loops influenced one of the greatest sneakers of all time — the Air Jordan III was initially even called the Air Jordan Revolution. Unfortunately in the film they play a somber role after Raheem starts a fight with Salvatore Fragione over the lack of culture in his pizza parlor. Raheem goes Ron Artest and ends up choked out by 5-0. Sorry for the spoiler alert, but his Nike Air Revs three inches off the ground are the last of his role. Love KO'ed by hate.

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