D_Burke Over the last ten years, Burt Reynolds has straddled the line between being an A-lister and a B-lister. His best known comeback was in 1997, when he re-emerged into the A-list spotlight with "Boogie Nights". Ten years later, he was still making good movies along the likes of "Mystery, Alaska" and the decent remake of "The Longest Yard". If he keeps doing movies like "Cloud 9", he may have to kiss those A-list parts goodbye again.The problem with "Cloud 9" is not that Burt Reynolds is bad in it. In fact, the movie starts out really well with Reynolds playing a lovable loser. It's not the first time he plays one of these characters, and he usually plays it very well. It's just that the movie is boggled down with so many sports and rags-to-riches movie clichés that by the end, the movie seems far from original even though the premise is.The premise is another great thing about this movie, and the movie had the right idea about where to go with it until the very end. The problems occur with the lack of character development. Burt Reynolds' and D.L. Hughley's characters are pretty well developed, but the strippers could have been made into more interesting characters. Instead, they are just one-dimensional stereotypes borrowed from other movies. There's the jive-talking black woman, the blond stripper with a heart of gold, the angry Latino stripper, and the Russian bombshell that no speak English good. Oh yeah, and although Angie Everheart does a better-than-expected acting job in this movie, her character has been done before. If I had a nickel for every movie where there was a smart, single mother who was forced to strip to support their only child, I'd be a millionaire. In fact, wasn't Burt Reynolds himself in a big budget film with one of those characters? The name "Striptease" rings a bell, as does the name "Demi Moore". And as I remember, that movie didn't get stellar reviews either.Last but not least, Gabrielle Reese could have been utilized better in this movie. Sure, she's a natural fit for playing a professional volleyball athlete, since she is one in real life. But the problem comes when she expresses her objection to strippers playing volleyball, since that would bring the wrong kind of exposure to the sport. Of course she is correct and has a valid point, but the movie unevenly makes her out to be the villain of the story because of that viewpoint. Plus, the guys in the movie make fun of the fact that she's built like an athlete, which doesn't send a good message to young women who see this movie. They appear to completely forget the fact that Gaby Reese is one of the most beautiful women in the world, let alone the most gorgeous athlete. In fact, I found myself rooting for her side at the end of the film, and really not caring either way if the heroines won.This movie was very promising. In fact, the movie started out great, and even Paul Rodriguez was funny as Juan a.k.a. Wong. However, the really important characters in this story were underdeveloped, and so many movie clichés, tired archetypes, and male posturing made this movie unenjoyable. I reiterate when I say that Burt Reynolds should probably get a new agent, because he has been in and can be in better movies.

teq-7 Do not watch this movie. There are 2 reasons for that:1. It is so boring that it tops the list of the most boring films ever made. It felt at some points that is is a porno film, but when any girl got half naked the scene ended. The level of the dialogs remain though at the level of porno films.2. Strippers are couched to be volleyball players. I really feel that it undermines the dedication and the amount of work needed to be a professional athlete.This is a porn movie with a lame plot that characterizes porn movies in general, but with all the "skin parts" removed. It's a huge waste of time! They should pay me for the time I spent watching this (even so I wouldn't do it again).

youngsta' unknown A 3.7 you guys gotta ease up a little this movie wasn't that bad. It did have some stupidness 2 it but there was sense involved in it.. I would just like to say all in all i thought it was a pretty good movie and people need to give it a chance because it is not a BAD! movie.. And also i think people now a days are just 2 focused on all the special effects of todays generation we need to get past all that and recognize a good movie cause when it all comes down 2 it this movie is it shows some of the basic everyday situations that we all experience and thats what's important in my opinion........(Have a nice day)

saintmychal This a very smart sports comedy that brings in American obsessions, the Malibu class system, racism, sexism and celebrity culture-- but would you expect less from Albert S. Ruddy, who co-wrote the script with "Tabloid Baby" author Burt Kearns and Malibu celebrity Brett Hudson?Ruddy has two Best Picture Oscars-- for The Godfather and Million Dollar Baby-- and in fact, this is the follow-up to his latest Oscar!Great care has obviously gone into Burt Reynolds' first starring role in years. The character of Billy Cole is an extension of Paul Crew from The Longest Yard (another Ruddy production), and the rascal of Cannonball Run (Ruddy again!). Reynolds lives this part, and he interacts well with a huge ensemble cast of young hot talent.Gabrielle Reece is a wonder! An Amazon beauty with great comic timing. Angie Everhart gives it her all as a stripper who's seen it all-- until she sees Billy's latest idea. And Paul Rodriguez plays a phony "Chinaman" because "In Malibu, if you're Mexican, you're a gardener, but if you're Asian, you're a landscape artist." They will be writing college dissertations on this one.There's a lot to this movie-- and Gary Busey, too! And it starts with a script that almost directs itself. This one goes on the cool sports movie shelf, next to North Dallas Forty, Hooisers, Bull Durham and Blue Crush!