MOVIE REVIEW: “Babershop 2”
Grade: B
I’ll admit that I was biased going into “Barbershop 2: Back in Business.” But unlike the other movies I go into with sincere prejudice, I approached “Barbershop 2” with the attitude that it would be good. I thoroughly enjoyed the original “Barbershop,” which I didn’t see (or hear of, for that matter) until it was on video. The humor was sharp, the characters were fun, and frankly, having lived in South Chicago, the 79th and Exchange setting felt like a homecoming.
Fortunately, “Barbershop 2” didn’t disappoint. It’s not going to revolutionize comedy, but it’s certainly worth a look. All the main characters from the first film are back at Calvin Jr. (Ice Cube)’s southside barbershop, from the aging politically incorrect neighborhood icon Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer) to just-coming-into-his-own barber sensation Issac (Troy Garity – Jane Fonda’s kid – believe it or not). And just like in the first movie, wisecracks and character interaction keep the movie moving at an enjoyable pace.
But this time around, the adventures of Ice Cube and his bunch take a more serious turn, particularly toward the end of the film. From the opening of the movie, periodic flashbacks show the history of the shop, mostly highlighting the events of the late 1960s. The story of how Eddie joined the barbershop crew is especially fun, but also poignant when he proves his loyalty to his coworkers amid the local riots surrounding Martin Luther King’s
assassination.
The larger theme of the movie is centered around the threat of new development wiping out the small independently owned businesses in the neighborhood (think “You’ve Got Mail” with Ice Cube instead of Meg Ryan). A brand new franchise barber super-shop (dubbed “Nappy Cutz”) moves in across the street from Calvin’s spot, both an immediate threat to Calvin and also the harbinger of more intrusive businesses to come.
Calvin’s moral debate (take a big cash payoff and sell his land) and the film’s grassroots message could subvert enjoyment of the rest of the movie, but it doesn’t. Ultimately that may be what the film does best, what many movies fail at: balancing humor and sensitivity. Too often, a zany comedy will break out with some half-cocked attempt at serious moral resolution when it should just stick to being wacky. Here I’m thinking about that “Dickie Roberts” movie I reviewed last semester. But “Barbershop 2” manages to make a serious message enjoyable. There’s still plenty of room to make fun of self-centered politicians, listen to Eddie’s unique spin on social issues, and even watch the story of his long-lost dream woman unfold. Heck, the movie is worth it just for the hairstyle montage that accompanies the opening credits.
The movie also serves to put in a cameo plug for Queen Latifah’s upcoming project, “Beauty Shop.” She and her beautician squad work on the same block with Calvin, and apparently will be making their own visit to a theater near you soon.
If it’s anything like the “Barbershop” movies, it should be pretty good.
Joshua Terry is a graduate student in American studies. Comments may be sent to jterry@english.usu.edu.