Barbershop 2: Back in Business

The pointed, no-taboos banter that was the soul of the original Barbershop gets short shrift in this entertaining but too-cursory sequel. Ice Cube once again stars as shop owner Calvin Palmer, who has grown into a casually strong community pillar, with Cedric the Entertainer back in fine form as the titular tonsorial's controversy-stirring motor-mouthed muckraker. Similarly funny and socially aware (the plot this time involves a battle against cavalier gentrification), the continuing penchant for pointless subplots detracts considerably: Barbershop 2 is over-padded with arbitrary, unconvincing sexual tension between reformed, angry-thug barber Ricky (Michael Ealy) and reformed spitfire stylist Terri (rapper/actress Eve), and screen time is burned on a recurring 1960s flashback for Cedric that, while well written, has no bearing on the story. Yes, the movie is still fun, but all of the extraneous material dampens the ruthlessly funny repartee that was the essence and strength of the first film. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include cast audio/video commentary (shifting between audio and picture-in-picture video commentary) by costars Cedric the Entertainer, Sean Patrick Thomas, Troy Garity, and Jazsmin Lewis; audio commentary by director Kevin Rodney Sullivan and producers Robert Teitel and George Tillman, Jr.; the extended music video for “Not Today” by Mary J. Blige and featuring costar Eve, the music video by Sleepy Brown featuring Outkast “I Can't Wait,” a behind-the-scenes photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a halfway decent sequel.] (R. Blackwelder)