Critic's Grade: A+

A great movie that has energy, laughs, drama, and everything else needed to create one of the best films of 2002.

Calvin (Ice Cube- Anaconda, All About the Benjamins) is the owner of a family barbershop. It's been in his family for over 40 years. But for the last 2 years the business and money has been a problem. When the bank refuses to give him any more loans and he realizes he needs extra money for a home studio he decides to sell the place to a local loan shark (Keith David- Where the Heart Is, TV's Gargoyles). After selling the place and having no regrets, Calvin begins to realize that the barbershop is a place where everyone loves to be and he has less than 24 hours to try and get the shop back.

Co-starring are Sean Patrick Thomas (Halloween: Resurrection, Cruel Intentions), Cedric the Entertainer (Kingdom Come, TV's Cedric the Entertainer Presents), Anthony Anderson (Two Can Play That Game, Big Momma's House) and hip hop rapper Eve (XXX).

The film which features in all-star cast is centered around a Chicago barbershop but the laughs are what happens inside the place. The film does contain lots of language but is a great movie to watch. Although the film has an all black cast it still is a movie for every race.

Like many urban comedy films they all have a big cast of top black celebrities, but this movie also has laughs and a heart. At many times during the film it makes you wanna laugh, cry and just fell good. There has been lots of rumors and controversy surronding the film but the film manages to go above that and still be good.

The topics discussed in the film go from Rosa Parks, to Martin Luther King to World War 2 to ex-convicts. It also sheds light to how many races fell about each other. It deals with cheating partners to how some blacks feel about whites acting like them. It also shows how many people need to look past themselves and think about what's best for others.

Rated PG-13 the film has constant and strong adult language and features mild violence. Some sexual content is used and it has a scene of drug use. So the film is inteeded for people 15 and up.

Directed by Tim Story, the film is produced by the people who also produced the hits "Men of Honor" with Robert De Niro, and Cuba Gooding Jr., and "Soul Food" with Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Vanessa Williams and Mekhi Phifer. It also features good music that makes you want to get out of your seat and dance. It features music from P. Diddy, Jagged Edge, Ginuwine, Mr. Cheeks and Fabolous

The performances in the film are all absolutely wonderful but it is Cedric the Entertainer who stands out. His performance as Eddie the oldest barber at the shop brings the film to life and has lots of great movies. His words and sayings really make you laugh. Also delivering wonderful performances are rapper Eve who is astounding as Terri the hot head who gets mad when people drink her apple juice. Ice Cube who usually needs to stick to rapping actually did a wonderful job in this film.

So if you want to see a good weekend film that will make you laugh then this is the film for you. This is truely one of the top 3 films of 2002.

Out of a possible 4 stars, this film deserves a good 3 1/2 stars.

All Reviews by James Edwards
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