BARBERSHOP 2 – BACK IN BUSINESS: MORE FUN CLIPS

 

Creating a sequel to a movie is a tough task. If it’s too much like the original film people will complain it’s nothing more than a rehash. If it’s too different they’ll complain that the movie has no link to the original. It’s a fine wire to tread and fortunately the people behind BARBERSHOP 2: BACK IN BUSINESS have done and amazing job.

After the success of the first film the odds of a follow up were pretty good. Star Ice Cube had already done this with his successful FRIDAY films. Here he takes the neighborhood barbershop in a similar direction while adding a new threat to the store.

Calvin Palmer (Cube) has kept the barbershop up and running and successful. Next door a new ladies beauty shop has even opened owned by his one-time girlfriend Gina (Queen Latifah). No threat here though as he remains in love with his wife and the apple of his eye his newborn son. Hoping to one day pass along the shop to his son this is threatened when a new business is about to open across the street.

A chain haircut salon called Nappy Cutz is set to open. Developer Quentin Leroux (Harry Lennix) has is trying to buy out all the local businesses and upgrade the neighborhood. But in doing so his potential gentrification of the neighborhood will rob it of not just the flavor that it possesses but will force those who live here to move, unable to afford living where they currently do.

Once again Calvin is faced with the offer of someone to buy out his business. This time around though it’s not just some loan shark threatening him. In addition to Leroux he’s facing opposition from a crooked politician alderman Brown (Robert Wisdom) who’s taking payoffs from Leroux. Faced with what appears to be an unbeatable pair alongside a new business filled with flash and pizzazz Calvin tries to compete by sprucing up his place and hosting a cookout for the neighborhood complete with free cuts for the kids.

The odds are stacked against him though. At a vote before the local board determining whether or not to allow construction in the neighborhood to go forward Calvin steps up to speak. Leroux has made him an offer of more money than he’s ever seen before. Will he choose to take the money and advise the other business’s around him to do the same? Or will he stand up for what’s right?

While all of this sounds serious, and it is, the movie is fueled by the humor that is wrapped around this story. All of the characters from the previous film are back on board and their lives have changed in different but positive ways. In particular this time we get to know more about Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer), his back story and a romance we never knew about. It is through Eddie that we also learn more about the history of the barbershop itself as well as Calvin’s father.

Once again I was pleasantly surprised at how fun this movie was. I know I liked it the first time I saw it but I think I enjoyed it more this time around. It’s one of those movies to keep on hand and pop in from time to time, a nice double feature with the first film that would result in plenty of laughs and touching moments to make a nice evening at home.

MVD Marquee Collection again offers the film in a great new blu-ray version along with the extras offered in the past. Those include a commentary track with actors Cedric, Sean Patrick Thomas, Troy Garity and Jazsmin Lewis, an audio commentary track with director Kevin Sullivan and producers Bob Teitel and George Tillman Jr., 6 deleted scenes, outtakes, an extended music video “Not Today” by Mary J. Blige featuring Eve, a music video “I Can’t Wait” by Sleepy Brown featuring OutKast, a behind the scenes photo gallery, the original theatrical trailer and the trailers for BARBERSHOP and BEAUTY SHOP. All in all a great package and one to pick up for your shelf.

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