Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Review by Clint Morris
 It
seems before the first film's even been unspooled these days,
studios are rushing a sequel into production.
Yep, well before they even know whether that first film’s
going to be a floater or a sinker.
Thankfully for the studio, Tim Story’s urban comedy
Barbershop was an unanticipated success.
A slice-of-life pleasantry about a group of guys that waste
away their days in a Chicago Barbershop, it fast tracked rapper
turned actor Ice Cube’s career in film, as well as made
a point that even the smallest, lesser-budgeted, submissively
inspired films can stare down any ominous competition.
Barbershop 2: Back in Business is pretty much the
same shtick as the first, but once again, it works.
Barbershop owner, Calvin [Ice Cube] again faces possible
closure of his treasured clip n' snip, which his father started
up some fifty years earlier. This time, the threat comes in
the form of a gimmicky competitor who has decided to open
up shop across the street from Calvin’s.
As palpable as it is that Barbershop 2 is a high-res
Xerox of the original, there’s still a lot to like about
the sequel. It’s vivacious, it’s funny, and most
of all, it brings back a bunch of characters that by now,
will feel are like old friends.
Cube’s Calvin is one of the most endearing, likeable
parts the always dependable talent has played, whilst Cedric
the Entertainer as the elder barber Eddie is again the film’s
lighter light relief.
And in support roles Sean Patrick Thomas as know-it-all Jimmy,
Troy Garity as the token-white barber, and Eve are as entertaining
as they are in their element. Queen Latifah – who’ll
be seen in her own spin-off called Beauty Shop –
also has an amusing cameo as a neighbouring shopkeeper.
Director Kevin Rodney Sullivan and writer Don D. Scott will
surprise cynics by serving up a swift sequel that isn’t
a snore and whine. In fact, Barbershop 2 is –
in some respects, especially since it excised the annoying
Anthony Anderson – a cut above the original.
3 out of 5
Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Australian release: Thursday May 13th
Cast: Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Eve, Troy Garity,
Robert Wisdom, Harry Lennix, Michael Ealy, Sean Patrick Thomas,
Leonard Earl Howze, Queen Latifah.
Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan.
Website: Click here.
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