[Online Exclusive] “˜Barbershop 2′ barely makes the comedic cut

Can a neighborhood sell out? Opening today, “Barbershop 2:
Back in Business” questions whether the benefits of
revitalizing the ‘hood truly is worth the cost of  its
soul and identity. Yet the film itself is a contradiction in trying
to keep it real, and itself sells out.

As the film opens, life is good for Calvin (Ice Cube);
he’s still running his father’s barbershop and raising
a new baby boy. But after Quality Land Development, headed by
Quentin Leroux (Harry Lennix), begins a Southside revitalization
project by buying up local stores, Calvin soon feels pressure to
join with other owners so they can get higher prices for their
stores by negotiating together.

With the latest barber equipment, desirable amenities, an indoor
basketball court and a running gag of having fish in the floor that
“you can pick out and have fried while you get your hair
cut,” potential rival shop Nappy Cutz forces Calvin to
respond with changes to his own shop that don’t inspire hope
in his crew of barbers: Terri (Eve), Ricky (Michael Early), Dinka
(Leonard Earl Howze),  Isaac (Troy Garrity, the only white
barber), and Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer).

Bringing back most of the original cast is not to the
sequel’s advantage. With little character development and the
film’s primary focus centered on Calvin, Isaac, Jimmy and
Eddie, the others seem to be just along for the ride. Fans of the
previous film might also be let down with the lack of controversial
barbershop discussion for which the first film became famous.
Regardless, “Barbershop 2″ is noticeably devoid of any
political comments that might spark furor.

Still, the film has a few highlights, such as when Calvin
decides to make the shop more appealing  by banning loud
talking and music before 10 a.m., resulting in a creative scene in
which muted voices give way to the sounds of the barbershop in
rhythmic beat, reminiscent of “Stomp” or “Bring
in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk.”

Later, Calvin throws a community barbeque where a hilarious
confrontation occurs between Eddie and Gina (Queen Latifah),
Calvin’s ex-girlfriend who now runs the beauty salon next
door. These two heavyweights go dis-for-dis to the delight of the
picnic’s audience.

Disappointingly, a great deal of the film was spent seemingly
rehabilitating Eddie’s character. The film opens with a
flashback to the 1960s, showing how Eddie came to work at the
barbershop, and flashbacks occur throughout the film that seem to
try to make his character more understandable. Still, Eddie redeems
himself with a movie-closing rant that seems to be aimed at critics
of his character in the first film.

Ultimately, “Barbershop 2″ comes down to
Calvin’s having to make a decision, whether it’s worth
it to sacrifice the neighborhood in order to save his barbershop.
And although the ending is entirely predictable, it sure is fun
watching it.

– Anthony Kennedy