This was an enjoyable comedy, largely due to Cedric the Entertainer protraying Eddie, a barber who has been with the shop for generations, originally, having worked for the owner's father. Ice Cube plays ther likable but intense barbershop owner Calvin Palmer. After saving the barbershop in the original movie, there is a new crisis in this sequel as a super fancy mega hairstyling shop which is part of a chain is opening across the street. Of course, there are the usual villains, as local politicians on the take promote the new shop. The result is predictable; the shop was saved in the original and, I don't think I'm giving anything away by revealing that, ultimately, the villains are exposed and it survives here too. In short, the plot is entertaining but pretty much set to a formula.

What makes the movie is the interplay and conversation among the employees of the shop and the regulars who hang out there. The plot is really secondary. The character development is surprisingly good and the viewer almost feels at home, as though we could go through the screen and become part of the interplay. However, in this aspect, the original was even better. Eddie actually created quite a stir by making irreverent comments about both Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King in that movie. That type of interplay lent realism to the movie since, in barbershops, there are always opinionated characters saying outrageous things. Still, in this sequel, the banter and interplay was good, thus 4 stars.

"Barbershop 2" is a good movie, but no it does not live up to the standard set by "Barbershop." Unfortunately, the film is filled with problems. First and foremost we realize that these characters are really only interesting within the context of the first film. This film gets too ambitious and lets us see the characters as they travel through time and the city. I understand that it is to underline the point of this film (and the first one) that small business has more heart and soul than corporations (and I agree...duh). However, Cedric the Entertainer's love life and radicalism of 30 years ago didn't really strike a chord with me. Also, they take a cheap shot at uptight white men that would've been funny if not completely unoriginal. But with those problems out of the way, the only thing left to talk about is the good stuff. Here we have a film that resists temptation on more than one occasion. To the surprise of me an exotic looking fish tank is left unscathed and the ending is not sappy for the sake of being sappy. I also like the performances by Eve and Cedric the Entertainer. The scene in which Cedric goes at it with Queen Latifah at a picnic is probably my personal favorite. I also enjoy movies that deal with topical conversations. All these are the reasons why I am recommending this film. Of course while bashing the corporations this film played at multiplexes across the country, ironic? I would say it falls victim to the "It's a Wonderful Life" syndrome where people think that if they watch films like this then they are magically George Bailey and not Mr. Potter. I also wish that they could have hit a little harder on the idea of why Nappy Cuts needed all of the flashy gimmicks. I would say that corporations use things like basketball courts inside a hair cut place because they know that they can never emulate the sincere community feeling that you get by going to a small business. And they also know that when it comes down to money or community the people will always pick money. Oh well. This film is pretty much a commercial version of the HBO film "Everyday People." It's no better or no worse, just different. ***1/4

I do not mean to imply that I was surprised at how well this sequel came off. Generally sequals pale in comparison to the original and just as generally, the public expects less.

Hats off to the sequel to Barbershop which I found to be quite pleasing and enjoyable. The sequel is not ambitious and plot-wise is rather formulaic. What makes this work however, is the history, both of the characters as well as of African-Americans, that is seamlessly woven into the story to flesh out the characters and give the viewer a chance to understand the motivations behind their actions.

A very interesting example is the way Isaac, the only white barber, is treated in the sequel. I submit that Ice-Cube is trying to give the audience a glimpse of what it must be like to be the minority in a given work situation. Instead of not balancing the opinion by only showing the effects this would have on a minority, he made a white man the minority and showed how exasperating and ultimately demeaning this kind of behavior can have on the oppressor as well as the one being oppressed.

There were good jokes all around but somehow I found myself less interested in the laughs and more interested in the presentation of the message. Some may feel it descended into schmaltz, i.e., let's live together in peace, love and respect for the differences of your fellow man, etc. Conceding that these messages tend to be sentimental, when we look at what is happening today, this is infinitely more important a message than reinforcing the same old sterotypes.

It is also wonderful to see the incomparable (and fine!) Harry J. Lennix. Even though he played the protagonist, he nonetheless elevated the production with his sterling portrayal of the businessman whose main concern is making money at the expense of the rich historic tradition of the neighbborhood.

Worthy outing indeed!

No surprises here storywise but likable just the same. Most of the fun is provided by Cedric the Entertainer. Let's face it. He's crazy. This movie provides a look at the past and how Eddy (Cedric) came to work at the shop and the love of his life. Frankly, I can do without the secondary story. I also get no thrill from Queen Latifah's role in the beauty shop next door. Her role only serves to promote the upcoming movie, Beauty Shop. Still, this is a pleasant enough film to watch when you're in the mood. For those who are starved for black comedy entertainment, here it is.

I have lived on the Chicago southside, so it is fun to see the streets and the people portrayed. But why did they have to rerun the plot of the first one? It's basically the same choice: Do I sell out and take the money or do I stick with the neighborhood. Guess which decision he makes.

It does has some funny moments, but they are mixed in with several plot lines that don't really relate to the movie - a love-hate romance with two of the younger barbers, Cedric the Entertainer reminiscing about his past (We never did find out why his girl left) and the white guy barber's pompous attitude.

Overall, I finished watching that movie and thought. Hm. I really could have found something better to do for 2 hours.