Review of Soul Plane (2004) by Timothy S — 09 Jan 2012

"Soul Plane" is a film that gleefully wallows in black stereotypes and offensive, crude humor but perhaps the most offensive thing about it is how harmless the whole thing really is. Frankly, I was too bored to be offended by this lame, painfully unfunny comedy, and that's really the most shocking thing about it.

It throws in every hackneyed stereotype you can think of, from big booty jokes to Colt 45, but the whole thing is so lazy I couldn't be mad at it. The film just lies there, limp and lifeless until we get to the predictable conclusion, and I found it impossible to feel any emotions towards it.

The cast is game, and they looked to be having a great time while filming it, but none of that comes through to the unfortunate audience. Kevin Hart is a very funny stand-up comic, but here, the writers inexplicably have him playing the straight man to the proceedings most of the way. He never gets to cut loose, and neither does Snoop Dogg as the plane's pilot. Only the reliable John Witherspoon shows any life at all in a small part. And then there's the completely unashamed Tom Arnold in the middle of it all, apparently not knowing how to say "No" to any project.

It amazes me how so many people in the black community are so quick to charge so many things as being racist, and yet this film evidently flew under everyone's radar. "Soul Plane" seems to be trying to insult everyone who sees it, but it's so dull I couldn't muster any sentiment about it one way or another. There's a lot of talent in the cast, but I still find it a miracle that this screenplay was even produced. There's nothing to like here.