Think Like a Man

Playing like an extended infomercial for the source material—Steve Harvey's self-help book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, a guide to romantic relationships and sex—this sporadically amusing rom-com opens with a series of animated vignettes charting courting rituals from prehistoric times to the present. The narrator, Cedric (Kevin Hart)—dubbed “Happily Divorced Guy”—notes that “the balance of power has shifted,” referencing his stereotypical L.A. buddies as prime examples. There's Dominic (Michael Ealy), “The Dreamer,” a struggling chef who, while working as a valet and driving a Porsche, attracts a determined, status-conscious career woman (Taraji P. Henson), labeled “Woman Who Is Her Own Man.” There's sensitive Michael (Terrence J), “The Mama's Boy,” who is keeping company with a single mom, Candace (Regina Hall), but cannot untie the apron strings at home. Suave Zeke (Romany Malco) is attracted to “Party Girl” Mya (Meagan Good), who won't let him into her bedroom to consummate their relationship for 90 days (preferring to “keep the cookie in the cookie jar”), while Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) is a low-aspiring “Non Committer” nerd whose longtime best friend, “Ring Girl” Kristen (Gabrielle Union), is tired of waiting for him to propose. Directed by Tim Story, the film also features Harvey periodically dispensing humorous dating advice directly to the camera. An uneven hodgepodge, this is optional at best. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes (7 min.), a gag reel (6 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are a “Men vs. Women” cast featurette (12 min.), “The Guy Code” with author Steve Harvey (7 min.), a “Comedy Behind the Scenes” cast segment (7 min.), and “He Said, She Said” stories on relationships (5 min.). Bottom line: a decent extras package for a so-so rom-com.] (S. Granger)