When the whole #OscarsSoWhite storm hit, Ice Cube, a founding member of the hip-hop crew NWA, said that it was wrong for blacks to boycott the Oscars because movies were not about the awards but the fans. Ice Cube is in the one percent and makes sure his bread is always buttered on the right side. Barbershop: The Next Cut was made with one function in mind: to put that extra butter on his slice of bread.
Summary:
It’s been 11 years since the last outing of the Barbershop franchise and it’s nice to see many of them return as well as the arrival of some new faces.
Calvin’s (Ice Cube) barbershop has merged with Angie’s (Regina Hall) hairdressing salon to keep the business above water thanks to the recession that has effected everyone. The barbershop still has its regular customers, and the new employees have made themselves at home. The issue this time around are the trigger-happy gangsters between two rival sanctions that are fighting over the neighborhood turf. Can Calvin and his Barbershop help the neighborhood, once again, by coming together to help cut down Chicago’s gun violence?
Conclusion:
This plot line is not too different to the franchises previous outings - the rinse and repeat formula of “the shop is under threat, how can Calvin and his crew save it” but, surprisingly, it doesn’t seem stale. The plot might be the same old same, but with fresh characters such as Draya (Nicki Minaj) and Raja (Utkarsh Ambudkar) and exciting discussions, the plot doesn’t seem to bore you.
For instance, the discussion on gender politics was light in prior films. however, in Barbershop: A Fresh Cut it becomes a regular topic, probably because they work together now, and it brings a lot of laughs with their one-liners and casual put-downs. Above all, this film is hilarious; the quick fire insults, the jokes, and the off-beat dry gags will bring an abundance of belly laughs, and a nice warm feeling.
