TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
Undercover Brother [2002]
![Undercover Brother [2002]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JEQ2KDFEL._SL160_.jpg)
Undercover Brother (Eddie Griffin) arrives on the scene (with his 'fro, classic Caddy, and funkalicious threads) just in time to be recruited into the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. at a crucial time. "The man" has somehow gotten to the illustrious General Warren Boutwell (Billie Dee Williams) – this man, who could have become the first black President, stuns the world by announcing his decision to – wait for it – start a fried chicken franchise. But that's just the start of it; more and more prominent African-Americans start making equally questionable career decisions (picture if you will Jay-Z performing Lawrence Welk music). The Chief (Chi McBride) is so flummoxed he keeps having Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon flashbacks, Smart Brother (Gary Anthony Williams) doesn't know what to make of things, and even Conspiracy Brother (Dave Chappelle) has a hard time coming up with an elaborate conspiracy theory. Sistah Girl (Aujanue Ellis) helps recruit Undercover Brother, and it's up to him to find General Boutwell and figure out what the sam hill is going on. He faces an annoying antagonist in Mr. Feather (Chris Kattan), but the real threat comes from "the man's" secret weapon, Penelope Snow (Denise Richards), aka White She Devil. Just about any man would be putty in Denise Richards' hands, and her character soon drains almost all of the funk out of Undercover Brother – the guy's only one step away from listening to Celine Dion, for goodness' sake. Is this the end? Will "the man's" master plan succeed and bring down the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. and everything it represents? Neil Patrick Harris is the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D.'s token white guy (affirmative action at work) and he actually manages to be funny every once in a while (but nowhere near as funny as Eddie Griffin or Dave Chappelle, of course). This isn't Denise Richards' finest performance by a long shot, but my girl is just some more kind of fine. Basically, everybody is funny in this movie (except Chris Kattan) – especially Undercover Brother, Smart Brother and Conspiracy Brother (Chappelle never fails to steal whatever scene he happens to be in). It's a dumb movie, for the most part, but many of the numerous parodies are ingenious; this is equal opportunity spoofing at its best.
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £1.39 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Blaxploitation movies deserve a good spoofing, and Undercover Brother tweaks the subgenre with a few good laughs. But what might have been an Afro-centric Austin Powers (adapted by John Ridley from his Internet film series) is instead a lackluster comedy with one basic joke: "Whitey"--personified as a faceless corporate despot known as "the Man"--has the power, but black folks have soul. With enough funk to make Shaft look passé, Eddie Griffin plays "U.B." with an oversized 'fro and a firm grasp of comedic possibilities. He's recruited by the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. (an all-black justice league) to foil the Man's plan to derail a Colin Powell-like presidential candidate (Billy Dee Williams), and U.B.'s undercover exploits keep the slim plot moving. Denise Richards and Neil Patrick Harris are gamely ridiculed as token white allies, and it's all in good fun as director Malcolm D. Lee (Spike's cousin) finds room for mild jolts of relevant social commentary. --Jeff Shannon
A spoof-tacular, very funny movie
Review date: 2005-12-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
Undercover Brother is, first and foremost, a really funny comedy. Some people on both sides of the aisle may shake their heads over the subject matter and mumble something about stereotypes (unwilling to consider the fact that one of the best ways to end racism is to show just how ridiculous it is), but there's no need for all of us with a funny bone to suffer and miss out on such an entertaining show. Alongside its focus on the ongoing battle between the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. and "the man," Undercover Brother manages to spoof all sorts of films and fads from the last few decades. Sure it's dumb – really dumb at times – but we might as well face the fact that dumb is usually pretty darn funny.
Similar Products
- White Chicks
- Pootie Tang [2001]
- How High [2001]
- Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood [1996]
- Talladega Nights [2006]
Reviews
Love the Brother!
Review date: 2004-11-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
When I first sat down to watch this film, I had my doubts. I expected it to be a sleazy, half-baked, popcorn movie rip-off of Austin Powers.
Once I'd watched it, however, I realised just how wrong I was. I am now convinced that whenever I see it, Eddie Griffin's dialogue will always bring a smile to my lips from countless memorably magical lines.
There are some truly brilliant performances from Dave Chappelle, Denise Richards, Chris Kattan, and (believe it or not) the grandfather of soul himself: JAMES BROWN!
I won't give away any of the story, but just know that if you haven't seen it, you should: you are in for a treat!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Chris Kattan
Eddie Griffin
Denise Richards
Dave Chappelle
Aunjanue Ellis
Creators:
Eddie Griffin (Primary Contributor)
Denise Richards (Primary Contributor)
Bill Carraro (Producer)
Brian Grazer (Producer)
Damon Lee (Producer)
Dana Robin (Producer)
John Ridley (Producer)
John Ridley (Writer)
Michael McCullers (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 3259190702493
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2003-08-18
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 82 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002-05-31
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)