Review of:Barbershop 2 (2004)
Director:Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Rating:PG-13 for language, sexual material and brief drug references
Starring:Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Garcelle Beauvais, Queen Latifah, Eve
Sequels are a funny thing. Many times they are put together for the simple purpose of making money. They capitalize on the good will or response they received the first time, and use that to put people in the seats. Barbershop 2, I am happy to say, has broken out of this mold that is hard to break out of. The film has purpose below its sails, showing us the battle between big corporations, and mom and pop establishments. A view point that many people take when they think of the Wal-Mart chain lately.
Even more than that it shows us more background on one of the most entertaining characters in Barbershop, and that is Cedric the Entertainer as Eddie, the outlandish, anything goes character who talks first and thinks later.
Director Kevin Rodney Sullivan (How Stella Got Her Groove Back) brings all of what was good about the first film to the table, and adds layers of depth to the characters that wasn't as noticable in the first film. A good move in this film was featuring Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer) more. The flashbacks to his earlier youth are some of the funniest moments in the film, and it also helps us to understand just how much history the barbershop has seen in its day.
If you haven't had a chance to see the film yet here's a short synopsis of the story. Calvin has come to terms with the barbershop, and has come to an understanding within himself of its importance to the community. He understands that it is a vital part of the south side and that it is used as a place to bring people together. The trouble comes in the form of a new business opening up next door. Nappy Cuts is coming in with its franchise feel to offer competition to Calvin's shop. The question throughout the film is can they survive this new challenge? This challenge that carries a fresh coat of paint, and has all the extra little things that intrique the masses.
Most of the issues brought up by this film are very relevant to black society today, and to society as a whole. The issue of big business moving in and pushing out smaller business is a recurring trend in the society that we live in. In this time of consolidation, it is hard not to wonder what will become of those businesses that might be manned by a husband and wife or a single father/mother. How will they compete on a stage that is tilting away out of their control?
The inclusion of relevant issues plus the generous amounts of laughter this film produces almost guarantees this as a must see film.
