NEXT FRIDAY (2000)

Directed By: Steve Carr
Written By: Ice Cube
Based On Characters Created By: Ice Cube & DJ Pooh
Cinematography By: Christopher Baffa
Editor: Elena Maganini

CAST: Ice Cube, Mike Epps, John Witherspoon, Sticky Fingaz, Don D.C. Curry, Tamala Jones, Lisa Rodriguez, Amy Hill, Clifton Powell, Kym Whitley, Jacob Vargas, Tommy "Tiny" Lister, Michael Rappaport


The problem with this film is that there seems to be a void with this film compared to the original. Half the cast is gone. The new cast seems to give it their all but come up very short. Since most of the cast are comedians. It seems like they are improvising there routines in the context of there scenes where the first film had original and inspired comedic characters. This one seems to wallow in stereotypes.

It is occasionally humorous but not hilarious. The Standout being the character of pinky and the female lead who is so goregeous and talented that I am shocked she never went onto bigger and better. Not even smaller roles in big films or indie films.

This time the film follows craig as he is sent to live with his uncle in the suburbs. who just won the lottery after his nemesis from the first film breaks out of prison to look for him.
John Witherspoon seems to be being punished for being In this film as he spends most of it running around with dog shit stuck to him. Why? It’s not funny nor does it have anything to further the story along.

The film tries but lacks a certain energy that the first film had it tries here to replace it with enthusiasm but it doesn’t work. It was the combined talent used in the first film that made it such a winning success here. Ice Cube loses the original director and Co-. Who obviously make the crucial difference between the two film’s. This is a nice attempt but maybe Ice Cube should have refined it a little before making it. Instead of just taking a first draft and assuming the masses will take what they can get from the franchise.he was partially correct as the film was a hit. Especially with a stoner audience that doesn’t ask too much for quality, but for regular fans that is a big problem. The film lacks quality which makes it a empty enterprise.

I just don’t find Mike Epps that engaging a actor or that funny. So he is a sub-par replacement for the charismatic Chris Tucker as a Sidekick.

This was sadly the last film appearance of Justin Pierce best know as the character of casper in the film KIDS. he was a engaging actor with a innocence about him and was hoping to see him on the big screen more.I sae his role in this film as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

My problem with this film is that even though it is done in good fun and meant to appeal to a urban audience giving us a chance to laugh at ourselves and stereotypes, While enmpowering the market with films that more represent us and our community. the film also just wallows only in stereotypes that reinforce some poeples opinion of what they feel african americans are really like. as ridiculous as it sounds if a person or community has nothing else to measure these stereotypes against a reality what do they have to go on? What do you think they will believe? especially in foreign markets where there might not be many african americans. Just like hip hop music they will ony believe what they are presented with. The sad thing is that it is not the so called white man holding us down, but actually ourselves in some instances. When films like these come out we flock to them boosting their box office. Then when a film that shows us in a positive light comes out and even better made by a african american filmmaker. We don't go to se eit claiming it looks boring or slow then it bombs. Guess what then studios are not as fast to finance and distribute it. Instead they will keep financing what makes money and the films can be down right degrading and in poor quality. Those just keep rolling off the line. Tyler perry who i will give credit too found a niche, but if you look closely almost all of his films have the same storylines, cliches and Stereotypes. He get's away with if forn supposedly keeping it real. he does but only in the broadest terms. I'm sorry i know this is supposed to be a light review but at this point i have to keep it real myself.

GRADE: D+