Barbershop (2002)

Star-studded African-American comedy set around a day in the life of a barbershop owner who is losing his shop due to money problems. The banter in the 'shop is fun and entertaining but generally racial in nature and so dated, or at least a little tired. I used to love this film, about fifteen years ago, but it doesn't bear repeat viewing now. The Indian and West African characters are rather stereotyped for humour, which doesn't really wash to UK audiences now. Ice Cube plays everything straight but everyone else is comedic, and it seems like everyone had fun filming. Cedric the Entertainer is brilliantly funny, when is he not? and Eve is a nice counterbalance to all the blokes in the shop. Anthony Anderson is the main comedic turn as a bumbling and accident prone crook - before his Law and Order days - but there are lots of other familiar faces such as Sean Patrick Thomas, Michael Ealy, Keith David, Jason George and Deon Cole. A giggle in places but not laugh out loud funny, but it used to be. Perhaps you have to be in the right mood.

I've read more than one review saying that this was mainly a movie for black people, mainly because of cultural in jokes. There were plenty of references to and clever banter about quite a few issues that a lot of people would expect in a movie featuring mostly "black" people (including Ice Cube), though I often have trouble with US accents, I'm not a massive fan of US rap in general and my skin's pretty pasty, and it seemed pretty straight forward to me... The movie should appeal to anyone that likes an intelligent comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously and has some heart. Anthony Anderson cracked me up and so did Cedric. First and foremost the movie is about people and the value of communities compared to the cold world ruled by the $. Most of the characters were "real" and the shonky ones were made believable- great cast and fluent acting. A movie for the sort of people that have wondered how hard it would be to knock off an ATM :)

Likable, engaging story about the day to day operation of a black barbershop in downtown Chicago. The plot centers around Calvin Palmer, a promising young barber who inherited the family-owned shop years earlier from his late father and his attempts to save the shop from foreclosure even if it means agreeing to an offer from a miserly neighborhood loan shark. Cast is appealing and enthusiastic, the story interesting and well-intended, but it's let down by bickering characters, uneven comedy, and a few distracting subplots. A decent way to pass the time, and a good change of pace for lead actor Cube, but it's never quite as on target as it needs to be. **½

always comparing, this is not as funny as bad Santa or the classic, Airplane! but i seriously could NOT stop laughing on this movie. Eddie cracks me up with his discussion on racism and Jesse Jackson. "Man fu@% Jesse Jackson!" This is more than just a comedy, it has a meaning to it. one of the few comedies with a meaning to it, and a good one. if you liked Friday, next Friday, any of Anthony Anderson's films of any comedies, check this out! i watched this over and over the first time i bought it. i HIGHLY recommend this movie to any movie buff or anyone period. Tim Story's best film by far with the only films i know by him being fantastic 4, which i hated and taxi, which was OK. 10/10