Mike Epps and Ice Cube in "Next Friday."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: Ice Cube and Mike Epps Director: Steve Carr Rated: R, with profanity, drugs and sex references Length: 90 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(Jan. 14, 2000) -- The opening titles of the new movie Next Friday evolve out of the swirling smoke from a joint, and throughout the film, the infamous N-word shows up about a hundred times as a term of endearment.

This is the aptly named sequel to Friday, a surprise hit comedy from 1995. It clearly targets the same young, urban audience as its irreverent predecessor -- and has little hope of appealing beyond those viewers.

The Friday films are the brainchild of rapper-actor Ice Cube, an attempt by the star of Boyz 'n the Hood and Three Kings to show a humorous side. If your idea of comedy is falling in doggie-doo or watching guys get stoned and foolish, you'll have a ball.

Cube reprises his role as Craig, a young man anxious to survive on the mean streets of Watts. In this film he moves to the suburbs, but discovers that his troubles aren't that easy to escape.

Cube is the writer-producer-star, but he lets others go for the laughs. His character is like an island of restrained sanity in a predictable loony bin.

To be fair, the screenplay offers a few coarsely funny characters and a couple of hilarious set pieces. Especially funny is a suburban record store operator who mistakes Craig for a thief, and a blustery trio of young Hispanic gangbangers whose bark far exceeds their bite.

Though I never saw Friday, I understand that the then-emerging Chris Tucker was a highlight. Certainly there's no laugh-getter here who is his equal.

Cube's script quickly catches up those who didn't see or have forgotten the first film. Craig apparently beat up the neighborhood bully at the end of Friday. Now the hoodlum (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.) is getting out of prison, so Craig's family sends him to live in suburbia with relatives.

His uncle recently won the lottery -- "even though he can't count to 10" -- and now lives in the suburbs, like an urban twist on The Beverly Hillbillies.

Cube and first-time director Steve Carr blow the opportunity to humorously explore the ramifications of urban vs. suburban life. Instead, they're content to stage more slapstick silliness, irreverent ethnic jokes and lots of bathroom humor.

Only the address has changed.