Rated PG-13 - Running Time: 1:23 - Released 5/31/02
UNDERCOVER BROTHER
Rated PG-13 - Running Time: 1:23 - Released 5/31/02
You can tell that writer John Ridley enlisted the help of Austin
Powers scribe Michael McCullers for the screenplay of Undercover
Brother. McCullers, who worked on International Man Of
Mystery and The Spy Who Shagged
Me as well as the new upcoming Powers film Goldmember,
has injected Brother with the same style of tongue-in-cheek
humor and cleverly self-jabbing nostalgia. The lead character,
caddy-driving, orange soda-drinking, afro-wearing '70s throwback
and private eye Anton Jackson, played by Eddie Griffin, is like
Austin Powers for the African-American community. Under the direction
of Malcolm D. Lee (cousin of Spike), this film is just as silly,
just as crammed with humorous period references, and just about
as funny as the Mike Myers series. And the soundtrack definitely
brings da funk.
The title character is introduced when he unwittingly aids
a sting operation being conducted by members of the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D.,
the spy agency of, by, and for African Americans. Heading up the
agency is The Chief (Chi McBride, Boston Public), who orchestrates
the movements of his agents, each with his or her own particular
area of expertise: Smart Brother (Gary Anthony Williams) wears
a white smock and hacks into computer systems while spouting highly
technical jargon. Conspiracy Brother (David Chappelle) harps on
his theories of how "The Man" tries to keep the brothers
down. And Sistah Girl (Aunjanue Ellis), a smart, sexy female agent,
is a master of martial arts equipped with lots of nifty spy devices.
Also on board is nerdy white boy intern Lance (Neil Patrick Harris),
whom the Chief admits he had to hire because of Affirmative Action.
After Jackson is inducted into the organization, we learn that
for the first time in U.S. history an African-American could be
elected president. A decorated veteran and war hero, the well-spoken
and immensely popular General Warren Bautwell (Billy Dee Williams)
seems to be the front-runner in the upcoming election. But just
as he seems poised to win, he announces that he's dropping out
of the race to open a chain of fried chicken restaurants, adopting
a southern drawl and an Uncle-Tom-ish attitude. Soon we learn
that the general has been drugged with a new mind control formula
by "The Man" (yes, there really is one), whose primary
agent is Feather (Chris Kattan), a fruity-yet-sinister character
whose diabolical schemes include taking James Brown prisoner (yes,
the James Brown) and unleashing what he calls "black
man's kryptonite," i.e., a sexy white woman (Denise Richards),
to foil the Brother and his H.O.O.D.
This movie is just what you'd expect from the talents of those involved. Griffin's style is predictable but funny, and Kattan is his usual over-the-top self. If you like the Austin Powers franchise, chances are you'll like this, regardless of your race. If you don't, we'll, I'd have to say you're just a jive turkey. ****