Review of Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016) by Johnny T — 11 Jul 2016

The last few years have seen plenty of sequels trailing their predecessors by over a decade. This is undeniably the case with Barbershop: The Next Cut; it's separated from the second Barbershop by 12 years and from the original film by almost 14. Barbershop: The Next Cut, the third installment in the film series, brings the laughs while injecting a serious topical theme that gives it a welcome edge. What most captivates is the rhythm of those scenes in which the characters mount the soapbox to share stinging observations on a variety of topics in an often hilarious back-and-forth battle of words. If the execution is sometimes clunky, if it tries to fit in too many characters, plot points and conversation threads, at least all of that is in the service of a higher ideal. This time the not-so-idle talk is about taking a socially conscious stand against gang violence. And while some of this territory is covered too tritely and safely to have all the impact intended by director Malcolm D. Lee, the movie's entreaties are compelling enough. Though this series is built on comic looseness, it's that sincerity that carries through its minor comedic missteps, like underusing Hall and leaning too heavily on Cedric's wacky-old-man shtick. The movie derives its energy almost entirely from the bristling quality of the dialogue and the easy ensemble flow of the performances.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).