Undercover Brother (Full Screen Collector's Edition)

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Malcolm D. Lee
Starring:	Eddie Griffin, Denise Richards, Aunjanue Ellis
Release date:	31 May, 2005
List price:	~~$12.98~~
Our price:	$12.26 that is 6% off!

Undercover Brother (Full Screen Collector's Edition)

Average rating:

"You mess with tha 'fro, you got ta go!"

UNDERCOVER BROTHER is an intermittently funny spoof of 70s blaxploitation films, but you'd expect a white boy like me to say that. Eddie Griffin plays the title character, a hip undercover cop who wages war against The Man, who is (predictably) the evil boss of a corrupt multinational corporation, who wants "The White House to stay white". In order to achieve this The Man kidnaps the General (Billy Dee Williams) in order to launch operation Whitewash, a ploy to turn blacks over to white culture by contaminating the General's (not the Colonel's) famous Fried Chicken. (You know, if this was reversed, this movie probably wouldn't be able to play. Stupid huh?). Undercover Brother is assigned to rescue the General with the aid of his Brotherhood collegues Agent Sistah Girl and Conspiracy Brother. But the corps has sent their own secret weapon after UB, Penelope Snow (Denise Richards)- "Black Man's Kryptonite".
How funny you find UNDERCOVER BROTHER probably depends on how big a fan you are of the old '70s blaxploitation movies. 007 fans may be amused by the villains obligatory island lair which rips off MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN. Also co-stars Neil Patrick Harris (remember DOOGIE HOWSER?). But the personal highlight for me was Denise Richards wearing a skintight white latex catsuit for the entire movie. Meee-oww! Charlie Sheen's a lucky man! Look out for several gags in the end credits sending up popular African American films. UNDERCOVER BROTHER is an OK movie to watch with a group of friends, but its not about to turn into the next AUSTIN POWERS type franchise anytime soon.

A relentlessly funny parody of the 70's Blaxploitation genre

I had very low expectations for Undercover Brother. From the trailers it looked to be a stupid comedy with at most a couple chuckles. I couldn't have been further from the truth.

A surface look at the film may cause some to criticize it as a ... of the successful Austin Power films, but if they examined it closely they'd discover it's not. Rather, it's a parody of 1970's Blaxploitation films, such as the Shaft series and Pamela Griers film. Though I'm not thoroughly versed in that genre, I have seen enough of them to recognize the accuracy with which Undercover Brother spoofs them. The comedy is well thought out and definitely laugh-out-loud funny. This and Austin Powers in Goldmember are the two funniest films of 2002.

It's true that some of the jokes fall flat, but there are so many gems in this movie that you don't have time to dwell on the bad ones. The fantastic 70's soundtrack accompanies the film perfectly, with wonderfully chosen tracks to fit each scene. Eddie Griffen as Undercover Brother and a great supporting cast, including Dave Chappelle, Neil Patrick Harris and Chris Kattan, crank out the laughs relentlessly.

Undercover Brother proves to be a great send-up to those classic Blaxploitation films, and is hilarious even if you never saw them. However, seeing those films will adds countless more laughs to the plate. Recommended, especially for fans of the genre.

Too Funky For Myself!

This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. I've seen this over 10 times by now. Eddie Griffin is absolutely hilarious. From him singing "Give Up The Funk" in his car to his laugh-out-loud white man impression, his comedic timing is awesome. Dave Chappelle is also very funny as the Conspiracy Brother. And Smart Brother seems to get funnier and funnier after each time I watch this movie. Many memorable quotes and an excellent job making fun of all the black and white stereotypes without being overly controversial. I would have to agree and say that all of those who think this is really offensive really need to stop taking everything so seriously. Lighten up and you will enjoy this movie a lot more. This is Blaxploitation at its finest. If you are looking for a new movie with great laughs, this is the one to see. Solid!

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