Gangsters survey Rio de Janeiro, as they contemplate their territory from a lofty vantage point.

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If "City of God" was Brazil's "Godfather" and "The Man of the Year" its "GoodFellas," "City of Men" is its "Boyz n the Hood."

An immediate, slap-you-in-the-face journey into the slimy slums of Rio de Janeiro, the sizzling drama continues Brazil's gangster-picture renaissance. The film is a wind-whipped sprint with two young men trying to play it straight while the bloody malestrom that surrounds them sweeps them toward chaos.

Best pals Ace (Douglas Silva) and Wallace (Darlan Cunha), on the verge of their 18th birthdays, are as weathered and cynical as middle-age men, which they may indeed be, given the lifespan in the rough locale. The guys have grown up without fathers and fended for themselves on the aptly named Dead End Hill since they were in diapers. The hood wilts under the control of a quick-triggered psychopath who speaks of himself in the third person, exclaiming how great it is to be him. This signifies that very soon it will no longer be good to be him or anyone who makes their home on Dead End Hill.

Ace, who has a young son to tend to, as well as Wallace, who longs to meet the father he never knew, are left homeless after their hill is taken by an enemy gang in a bloodbath siege. Ace's detective work helps Wallace track down and stay with his deadbeat dad, who has a sketchy past that worsens with each revelation. Ace latches onto a gang bent on taking Dead End Hill. His homies fill his head with information that turns him against Wallace.

"City of Men" unfolds in a torrent of steaming rage and instinctual violence. Director Paulo Morelli captures the sights and sounds of the ghetto, which pulses with spontaneous robberies, busted electronics and surly characters waving sidearms as they stalk the streets two-to-a-motorbike.

As strong as the film is, it lacks the full sting and freshness of its 2003 predecessor, "City of God," which was nominated for director, editing, cinematography and adapted screenplay Oscars. "City of God" spawned a four-season TV series that aired on the BBC and Sundance Channel, and now the series has led to a second film.

Director Fernando Meirelles stepped back into the role of producer, and cinematographer César Charlone and writer Bráulio Mantovani aren't involved in "City of Men," but Morelli and his crew prove capable of carrying the franchise's torch.

The title is ironic because the setting's denizens are all overgrown boys, having come up with no guidance or structure. Morality is harder to find on Dead End Hill than a clean cop.

This is truly no country for old men.