savageer
i own the first Barbershop on DVD. twenty minutes into this movie, i had to cut it off, and go watch the first Barbarshop again. usually when you watch a sequel, it's not really necessary to watch the first movie to understand. but unless you have an impeccable memory, you may lose a few of the story lines that are continued in the sequel. do not get me wrong, this movie was still very funny. and the plot was surprisingly good. the only reason why i did not give this movie a higher rating, is because of all the story lines! every character (which all of them have returned) is getting developed this time. we learn more about all of them in Barbershop 2. but on a personal note, i cared about some of the story lines more than others (like watching Michael Ealy's storyline, simply because he is fine!). if you did not see the first Barbershop, or forgot, this movie may have be a bit hard to follow. the relationship between Jimmy and Isaac; the lust Dinka had for Terry; how Eddie spoke about a woman named Loretta; how Terry was hurt by her man; Ricky's lifestyle that brought him to the shop; how Isaac was the new lame, white boy and no one wanted to sit in his chair...all of these are story lines in Barbershop 1 that get developed in Barbarshop 2 (and even more story lines are added on!) but either way, it's obvious that the producers ran out of time, and simply had to cut out some things that would have developed some of the story lines better.all in all, the movie is still hilarious. the acting is still above average. Cedric still makes you roll with his off the wall comments. and the storyline is up to par with what is going on in a lot of urban communities nowadays- how "big business" development is having an impact on traditional and/or historical "mom & pop" shops. in fact, all of the scenes surrounding that issue, are QUITE accurate.
SalukiKnightX
I like the movie because it addresses the importance of history and how many cities simply decide to forget all of its culture just for the quick dollar. Chicago is just the best example because most of the sites you saw in Blues Brothers and Running Scared are gone Maxwell Street and streets like it are all gone to make way for progress. But the line in which Calvin asks what good is progress if you lose your soul? I remember this as an example, the nearby town of Murphysboro didn't want a Wal Mart as to whether the city listened or buckled is left in the air but when you have Wal in towns less than 10 miles from each other and pretty much force the issue where truly is the voice of America? But then again I don't know but it does make you wonder where are we truly headed.
movieman_kev
Cedric and the gang are back for a second go around in this sequel to Barbershop. I saw and review the original a while back and was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed it for the most part. The sequel give or take is more of the same. Ice Cube's Calven is still a hair breath away from losing the shop again. Cedric's Eddie is still the best part of the movie, again. Both films ran out of steam whenever Cedric wasn't on it. This film added Eve and Kenan Thompson into the mix. The former being VERY nice to look at, the latter this being the ONLY film he's likely to ever do that I actually watch. But he IS good in this film. I know Queen Latifa's spin-off film "Beauty Shop" is opening pretty soon.. THAT'S one that I'll take a miss on. Nothing against her Quennness, but all her movies suck hardcore, well except for "House Party 2". But I digress, If you liked the first one, you'll like this.My Grade: C+
delano_flowers
I've read the comments and I've watched both movies (Barbershop I and Barbershop II). What surprised me in the comments was how soon we forget about the HEAT that Ice Cube took after Barbershop I was released. These films are true examples of how many Chicago West side or South side barbershops are run when owned by young blacks. (aside from the fact that you don't have a wall between the beauty shop and barber shop). It's usually all done under the same roof because 'guys get their hair braided' and 'women get their hair faded'. The 'zingers' had to be quick and subtle in order to get pass the critics and the 'victims'.What Ice Cube did with the opening series of black and white SNAPSHOTS was GREAT. He let the audience's mind wander and say things like 'Yeah, What ever happen to so-and-so?', without Cedric having to be accused of saying the wrong thing. That was a nice touch. I gave it a B+.
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