Barbershop: The Next Cut

Fourteen years after “Barbershop,” Calvin and his heterogeneous team of barbers are still repairing the kitchens of their South Side Chicago business. The third installment of the franchise, subtitled “The Next Cut,” released in 2016, puts most of the original cast into the right story about gang violence and the strength of a neighborhood coming together. As Eddie, the shop’s comic relief since the first film, the barbershop is a place for people to feel safe talking about what their thinking. Odie Henderson explained in the review, “Writers Kenya Barris (“black-ish”) and Tracy Oliver extend this notion, turning Calvin’s into a gang-neutral safe zone in response to a political measure designed to wall in the neighborhood.”

That aspect is in response to how much gang violence has increased, and is being advocated by former barber, Jimmy. Henderson stated, “Jimmy has traded in his clippers for politics, a perfect match for the holier-than-thou persona we remember from the first film.” Just like everything else that gets talked about in the barbershop, Jimmy’s idea is talked about seriously, pro and con. Eventually, someone says to use the barbershop as a safe zone for a two day peace between enemy neighborhood groups. During the peace, haircuts will be free for every customer. Barber Jerrod, played by Lamorne Morris, sets up a social media hashtag, and the central focus of “Barbershop: The Next Cut” has begun.

Like the previous movies, this is an ensemble cast. The main part of the story is Calvin’s son, Jalen, played by Michael Rainey, Jr., a teenager irritating under the firm rules of his parents. He and his friend, Kenny, played by Diallo Thompson, feel the dishonestly tempting force of joining the local gang, and a good part of the film’s suspense hangs on whether the two will give in to the invitation. Calvin and his wife, Jennifer, played by Jazsmin Lewis, feel Jalen’s potential wanting into violence, and believe, like a handful of parents would, that he is being pressured by his friend rather than being followed. This brings some well-acted parts of tension between Calvin and Kenny’s dad, Rashad, played by rapper Common.

Henderson admitted, “Rashad is married to my favorite holdover characters from the original, Terri (Eve).” He’s in charge of cutting hair while she socializes with celebrities in her high-profile work. Henderson said, “Still yelling about her apple juice and swinging enough attitude to host “VH1 Divas” solo, Terri’s appearance ushers in the rowdy, no-holds-barred spirit that permeates the scenes inside the shop.” Debate topics start, and the most politically incorrect responses continue to come from Eddie, the shop’s senior barber. Henderson mentioned, “You may remember the huge controversy over Eddie’s hilariously inappropriate comments about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks in “Barbershop," and that was before Twitter existed. Who knows what fresh fights Eddie’s current, equally hilarious and inappropriate comments will unleash now that social media abounds?”

Though the first sequel made viewers go back in time to the history of the shop, “Barbershop: The Next Cut” gives us a look into the future. The original all-male barbershop has now turned into a unisex place to work. The female fights of the beauty salon has been combined with the tough talks of the barbershop. Now both genders get to hear the complaints that normally would not be said when they were together. Henderson credited, “This dynamic gives the back-and-forth comedy an extra dimension of humor and insight, playing to the strengths of director Malcolm D. Lee.”

Henderson admitted, “What fascinates me about Lee’s work, even in his less successful efforts, is his focus on the examination and deconstruction of the societal structures of African-American masculinity. In films like the superior “The Best Man” and its sequel “The Best Man Holiday," Lee bends his characters’ perceptions of themselves at odd angles, exposing the internal and external challenges placed upon them. Sometimes he nods in solidarity with them, and other times he calls them on their b.s. with a heaping dose of tough love that’s often issued by his female characters. His ability to funnel these explorations through a mixture of comedy and drama is his strongest directorial quality. It helps “Barbershop: The Next Cut” sail smoothly through its few unsuccessful moments.”

The original cast is added by several newbies, most of them from the Kenya Barris-Malcolm D. Lee firm of actors. Regina Hall is great as Calvin’s partner, Angie, and she’s given a nice serious scene to compliment her expected talent for comedy. Common gets a sense of style under stress to his scenes with Eve and especially Ice Cube. Cube stays a great straight man, kindly letting the comedians work off his patience. Henderson goes on to say, “He also gives some of his best dramatic scenes since his heartbreaking turn in “Boyz N the Hood." Conversely, I wish more had been done with Nicki Minaj’s character.” Hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj is fine in her role of Draya, but it was made with a one-note style that she never feels as real as everyone else.

“Barbershop: The Next Cut” belongs, as the entire series does, to Cedric the Entertainer. His Eddie the perfect example of a supporting character, and like in “Barbershop,” his performance deserves an Oscar. Henderson noted, “Convincingly playing much older than he actually is, Cedric the Entertainer infuses his character with the perfect timing of a comedian and the generosity of someone who wants to pass on life lessons to his younger colleagues. There’s a mischievous twinkle in his eyes whenever he says something horrible, but if you look closely, you’ll also see genuine concern in them when he’s not joking. In every film, there’s a scene where Eddie talks seriously about a situation, and those scenes are some the best ones in the series. As for his comedic moments, the coda in this film may be his finest one.”

For all the humor – and the film is really funny in a hysterical way – “Barbershop: The Next Cut” never loses focus of the weight of its main problem. Calvin’s fear for his son’s safety is a realistic one that any parent, regardless of race, can relate to. The threat of violence is never given a comedic treatment (a scene between the leaders of fighting gangs inside the barbershop is as stressful and scary as any drama you’ll see). Henderson said, “And even when the film threatens to get downright preachy and a bit too on-the-nose, it never loses its pull on the viewer. Sometimes we need a good sermon, and like the best of sermons, “Barbershop: The Next Cut” dispenses its message with enough humor and wisdom to inspire and linger after it’s done.”

In the end, if you liked the previous two movies, this one is definitely a must. Especially in this day-in-age, this movie came out at the right time. It’s right to educate our children about violence all over, and this film did a good job to have us look at it. This one is a must to see, because it was helpful and thankfully it came out at the right time.

Well, that concludes this year’s “Black History Month Movies.” I hope you enjoyed by reviews on the “Barbershop Franchise,” as I would be fine if they made another sequel. They might, but we’ll see. Stay tuned next month for more exciting reviews.