Next Friday

Everyone remembers how Home Alone and Home Alone 2:Lost In New York were pretty much the same film only gussied up. To an extent, Next Friday is similar to Friday in the same vein, but there's a lot more different here.

The Cube reprises his role as Craig Jones. Mr. Jones is now a pot smoking addict, thanks to the departed Chris Tucker character. Their old nemesis Deebo (Tiny Lister) is still looking for his revenge. So Craig's father hides him in the posh Beverly Hills district where he has relatives who won the lottery.

Even there, he has trouble. His family have wasted all the money they've won, yet they still need to pay for their digs, and now if they don't get the money, they'll be evicted. Also, Craig gets into cahoots with a stereotypical (but goofy) group of Puerto Ricans living nearby. He's especially smitten by the lovely sister they have (Lisa Rodriguez). And yes, Deebo somehow finds out where Craig is. It all comes to a head.

This film is a lot better than the first one. The acting is decent and the story is a lot more intriguing. The dark setting of Compton is eased by the poshness of Beverly Hills. There are some great scenes, such as Craig's dad and his battle with Nature's Call in one of L.A.'s infamous traffic jams. Also, Craig's pot fantasy with Rodriguez's Karla character (seen in the trailers) where she dancing for him and he asks he if she's ever heard of El Nino (the weather affecter off the coast of Ecuador). When she moans "Yes", he replies "Get ready for El Negro!". Also, the closing track of "You Can Do It" is one of the Cube's best.

Yes, the characters are stereotypical cut-outs and there's a lot of offensive humor, but the film is still very good. Although How High is still my favorite comedy featuring rappers since the start of 2000 (despite the pot and vomit jokes), Next Friday is next in line. Can't wait for the third helping of Friday.

That's my favorite of many funny lines from the Joker Bros. in NEXT FRIDAY. Jacob Vargas was hilarious, and he's been in a lot of other good movies like AIRBORNE, CRIMSON TIDE, MY FAMILY, GET SHORTY, SELENA, and ROMY AND MICHELLE. Justin Pierce was also another funny character, one most kids like me could identify with (white boy from the 'burbs who loves skateboarding but can't skate for crap). It's sad that he's no longer with us. Ice Cube is a talented guy, and he did the best (or worst) he could with his character, but it wasn't a shining role like it was in FRIDAY. The family (Uncle Elroy, Day-Day, Suga, Mr. Jones) got a little annoying at times. The "biches" (Joker's women) were very hot, and Lisa Rodriguez had a smart female character, something not seen much in movies like these. Also, the return of Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr.'s character was unnecessary. It was built up nicely, but the delivery sucked.

"Whites in hot, colors in cold, ese!"

NEXT FRIDAY provides laughs, but not like the first. Without Chris Tucker, the Friday series begins to lack a bit of the good comedy he provided. This wasn't as funny as the other two Fidays, but it still can make you laugh hard enough if you just watch the movie and try not to look for flaws.

You have to give Ice Cube credit. He tried to make a good sequel, but somehow it didn't quite work. It was close though, and fairly funny.

At one point, in narration, Craig says, "I sure miss Smokey."

We do too.

Next Friday is actually pretty funny even though it lacks the film's first scene stealer Chris Tucker. Ice Cube makes a funny script with the help of new scene stealer Mike Epps who plays his cousin Day-Day. All in all if you just want a good time check this one out.