Just saw the movie and found myself quite diverted by great details like the fit on the suit jacket worn by One-Stop (fabulous tailoring) and the various operations that produce elaborate hair creations, as much a production as might be found in an 18th century royal court. These diverting features helped the film along, as it got down to the crisis in the neighborhood and how to deal with it.. Very well done scenes of gangs threatening young teens and the response of Calvin to his son's plight as he is surrounded by a menacing crowd. I learned something here, and predict the DVD will be a hit when the run of the film is over.
If a film is well written, makes me laugh or makes me think, then it is well worth the price of admission. What adds significantly to a good movie, in my opinion, is if it takes me into a world that I'm not exposed to often, and helps me understand the perspective of others. I want to be taken into a different world (provided that world is interesting). So when I hear members of white America heap scorn on a movie like this for not being "their type" of movie, or "Academy level," they might want to remember that not every single movie made in America is "about" or "for" them; even if it has seemed to be that way for a very long time. Something tells me that those same people wouldn't heap nearly as much scorn on the new "Neighbors 2:Sorority Rising," a fairly frivolous "white comedy" that is not nearly as thought-provoking as this movie seems to be. Because y'know, when white people make juvenile jokes about drugs and sex, it's all just in good fun.
2
Barbershop was decent. All subsequent iterations were weak. As the review states, sequels usually only exist to take more money from the fans, so this does not bode well for the latest installment. But this review is very positive, and perhaps with Malcolm Lee's direction, we get a different kind of sequel. We will see.
who goes to these trashy movies???
Gee the "Depth" of the some Black actors is amazing. I see multiple Academy Awards for this one. I also remember most of this same cast whining last year.
Maybe try some actual "acting" that doesn't involve a Barber shop or rap music.
Maybe try some actual "acting" that doesn't involve a Barber shop or rap music.
"But it also resists the easy comforts of respectability politics and bootstrap ideology."
What does that mean?
What does that mean?
1
this is an absolutely TERRIFIC review. now i have to see all of preceding Barbershop movies in addition to this one.. btw, i recently saw an interview with Ice Cube about the 2016 primaries and his analysis of all of the candidates, both Democrat and Republican, was very thoughtful and insightful. very impressive.
15
I can still recall how my African American grandfather would proudly say he was a Republican, as did my dad. Frankly, they were both more conservative than today's so-called conservatives. This characteristic of prior generations has been conveniently obscured by the political narratives of contemporary urban life, as well as by the forgotten mass emigration of African-Americans into the 'party of Lincoln'. They didn't leave their 'conservative' values behind. They are heard whenever the right questions are asked within the Democratic Party.
4
Sounds great. Look forward to see it. Loved the first two.
5
Very much looking forward to seeing this movie. All previous versions in this story line / franchise have been full of heart, wisdom, and some great laughs. I cannot imagine the USA without the profound and significant contributions of African-Americans -- and these movies tend to really celebrate the richness of our American fabric. I would not want to live here without my black American brothers and sisters -- that's for sure.
12
Interesting review...But what jumped out at me was Mr. Scott using the word "conservative" to describe the values of "hard work, small business and community solidarity". Maybe he didn't mean it in the political sense, but these values are held as strongly by liberals and anyone else across the political spectrum who has any common sense about the importance of these values in improving life for all Americans.
30