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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Much, much better than the first ..., February 8, 2004
By A Customer
I saw Barbershop when it came out in 2002 and while it was interesting, I cautioned to call it a great movie b/c of spotty acting, over-the-top comedy (well, not all the humor was as funny as it should've been) a few holes in the plot and sketchy character development that made each of the actors come across as little more than caricatures.Fastforward, to February 2004. Barbershop 2: Back in Business becomes the tight movie the original one should've been. This movie is off tha chain for several reasons. 1)If you saw Barbershop, you'll appreciate how the sequel does a great job following up on each of the character's story lines ... Terry's (Eve) relationship issues, Dinka's love for Terry, Ricky's decision to rise above his past troubles & make something positive of his life, but most importantly, Ice Cube's character learns an even deeper, historical-based lesson on the shop's significance to the neighborhood AND Cedric the Entertainer's old head character reveals a little more about why he loves that shop and how he REALLY became such great friends with Ice Cube's dad. 2)This movie has a much more personal touch ... the way Soul Food did. Maybe b/c as viewers we know what to expect from each character it's easier to see their humanity on top of human imperfections. You know who's the craziest, who's the illest, who's the livest, who's the rowdiest and who's gonna say things just to get a rise outta folk. But this cast becomes a family in the same way that '80s show "Cheers" became one. The barbershop transforms in this movie from hot-spot-to-get-the-word-on-the-street to community hotbed where all are welcome and all come correct. 3)This Barbershop sequel offers a little more insight into why & how the barbershop plays a powerful role in the African American community--offering commonground for different types of people with different types of ages, backgrounds, opinions, perspectives a place to share camaraderie, etc. 4)If you get the chance, pay very close attention to the movie's intro ... an awesome use of hair, er, Black hairstyles through the years as both motiff and metaphor for change (very powerful). Without me giving away the movie's very political, socially conscious message, I'll just say this hairstyles motiff foreshadows a development much, much later in the movie that has to do with the real life issue ... changing with the times, but retaining enough of your identity to stay the same. This theme hits home a various levels (I know black folks should feel me on this). Very thought-provoking, but open enough to let each viewer take his own message from it. 5)Barbershop 2 was just plain funny! This is coming from among the shruddest movie critics who won't just laugh b/c everyone else is laughing or be amused by the same old lowbrow, slapstick humor that plagues black comedies today. No, this film's comedy was actually great! 6)Great , great ending! That's all I'll say. I'm guessing though there will be a sequel to this movie too.
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DVD ~ Ice Cube
DVD ~ Queen Latifah
DVD ~ Cedric the Entertainer
DVD ~ Ice Cube
DVD ~ Ashton Kutcher
