"The Carter" brings what was promised

As midnight grew closer on Saturday, the crowd grew more restless. One of the biggest premeres of Sundance 09 grew closer, and the waitlisters hoped even more for the prize of a ticket to the documentary, The Carter.

The Carter follows famous rapper Lil Wayne as he travels, tours, and gets high. The film delves into the past and origins of Dwayne Carter, Jr., and his life now as a superstar.

Captured through shaky hand-held cameras and candid fly-on-the wall shots, the talent and dedication of the rapper shines through. Lyrics are scrawled across the screen, and filtered portraits of Carter serve a sucker punch to fans.

The everyday life of the "greatest rapper in the world" is fascinating, and only half-expected. Carter is almost always high from marijuana and his "syrup" -- an intoxicating cough-syrup combination beverage. But instead of partying or trying to pick up women, Carter raps. He always brings a portable recording system on tour and free-styles in his free time.

The film itself is an intimate portrait of a talented musician, but it does get a bit repetative. "Rockumentaries" often have the potential to focus on the lifestyle of the rich and famous, but The Carter keeps what it's all about in the foreground: the music.