Release Date:
11/07/2008
Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee
The Skinny: Two former back-up singers for a legendary soul trio (Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac) are forced to reconnect after 20 years, put their considerable differences aside, and drive cross-country in order to perform at a star-studded gala-slash-funeral. Grumpy old bickering ensues.
The Good: Considering that, between them, Jackson and Mac have made 165,349 movies (rough estimate), it's odd that this is the first time they've crossed paths. And while the strength of their respective personalities threatens to destroy everything around them like a scenery-chewing version of Godzilla vs. King Kong, it's really the only thing the movie has going for itthey manage to salvage some of the tired old men jokes this movie calls a script. The other positives are Affion Crockett, who is truly hilarious as a wannabe gangsta rapper, and Sharon Leal (as the mystery girl who may be one of the old soul men's daughter), who is hot.
The Bad: Again, if there's a single joke in this movie you haven't heard at least 20 times, you really should expose yourself to more mass entertainment. And the secondary comedy guns falter, too: Sean Hayes appears so infrequently that his role probably doesn't even qualify as a cameo and the chubby, curly-haired kid from those annoying AllTel Wireless commercials just, well, annoys.
Last-Minute Heart Tug: As the end credits roll, director Lee presents a tribute to Mac (and Isaac Hayes) with some interview clips and behind-the-scenes footage. It's a slight downer, but so is the movie, knowing that it's Mac's last.
Theater, DVD, or TNT in Five Years? It's a rental, only because all of the "motherfuckers" (and there are many) will be censored to death on TNT. Rent it for the full impact.
The Skinny: Two former back-up singers for a legendary soul trio (Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac) are forced to reconnect after 20 years, put their considerable differences aside, and drive cross-country in order to perform at a star-studded gala-slash-funeral. Grumpy old bickering ensues.
The Good: Considering that, between them, Jackson and Mac have made 165,349 movies (rough estimate), it's odd that this is the first time they've crossed paths. And while the strength of their respective personalities threatens to destroy everything around them like a scenery-chewing version of Godzilla vs. King Kong, it's really the only thing the movie has going for itthey manage to salvage some of the tired old men jokes this movie calls a script. The other positives are Affion Crockett, who is truly hilarious as a wannabe gangsta rapper, and Sharon Leal (as the mystery girl who may be one of the old soul men's daughter), who is hot.
The Bad: Again, if there's a single joke in this movie you haven't heard at least 20 times, you really should expose yourself to more mass entertainment. And the secondary comedy guns falter, too: Sean Hayes appears so infrequently that his role probably doesn't even qualify as a cameo and the chubby, curly-haired kid from those annoying AllTel Wireless commercials just, well, annoys.
Last-Minute Heart Tug: As the end credits roll, director Lee presents a tribute to Mac (and Isaac Hayes) with some interview clips and behind-the-scenes footage. It's a slight downer, but so is the movie, knowing that it's Mac's last.
Theater, DVD, or TNT in Five Years? It's a rental, only because all of the "motherfuckers" (and there are many) will be censored to death on TNT. Rent it for the full impact.