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	Barbershop 2: Back In Business
	Kevin Rodney Sullivan Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Queen Latifah, Sean Patrick Thomas, Troy Garity, Eve, Michael Ealy, Leonard Earl Howze, Harry Lennix, Kenan Thompson, Garcelle Beauvais 2004		Although not as rich and flat-out funny as 2002's "Barbershop," the inner-city comedy "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" is another entertaining time with the staff and hangers-on at Calvin Palmer's haircut joint on Chicago's South Side. Sequels can be lackluster. This one is OK. It helps that most of the original cast is back and on the beam, led by Ice Cube reprising his role as staunch second-generation barber and first-rate straight man Calvin. There's scene-stealing Cedric the Entertainer as Eddie, the salon's elder barber and in-house philosopher; Eve as tough-talking Terri, Calvin's sole distaff stylist; Troy Garity as the shop's token white haircutter; Michael Ealy as streetwise Ricky; and Sean Patrick Thomas as would-be politician Jimmy. Queen Latifah adds to the merriment as bawdy Gina, who runs the beauty parlor next door to Calvin's. (A "Beauty Shop" spin-off is next.) There's less slapstick and more social commentary than in the previous installment. The script by "Barbershop" co-writer Don D. Scott has unscrupulous urban developers threatening Calvin's business. In contrast to many modern comedies, the stupid and gross are kept to a minimum. The political observations are surprisingly pointed, the message of self-determination never gets too sappy, the resolution isn't cut 'n' dried, and director Kevin Rodney Sullivan keeps it fly.


	Friday, April 19, 2024





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