Malibu's Most Wanted

I assume Malibu's Most Wanted is a parody of the lifestyle and career of Eminem taken in an over the top, silly format. There isn't really a message to be said here either come to think of it. It's one of those late night comedies that you watch for the hell of it. There really isn't a whole lot to criticize.

A white boy, wanna be gangster rapper from Malibu nicknamed B-Rad (Kennedy) is the son of his Governor candidate father who needs to hatch a plan to get his son out of the way so he can win the election and not be made a mockery of. He decides to send his son with two actors (Anderson and Diggs) who are told to fake carjack him when with a girl (Hall) and take him into the real hood to show him life isn't what it's made out to be.

Naturally, B-Rad still wants to pursue his gangster rapper image which proves to only land him in hot water with people at clubs and real gangbangers. I think we know the direction the film takes after that.

The film relies entirely on clichés and traditional good/bad life lessons. It's hard to review a goofy comedy like this and it's even harder to lengthen a review of it because there is only one complaint; it's too cliché.

Lots of one liners are dropped, all hit or miss, with several hitting. Still a comedy based off of one liners usually isn't a good comedy. But if the film has a great duo like Chris Farley and David Spade, the antics speak for themselves.

I did get a kick out of seeing Anthony Anderson in the movie, but sadly, he doesn't add too much here either. Jamie Kennedy is a likable character, and Kal Penn makes a cameo in the film as well. Numerous little perks here, but ruined by the storyline used one too many times. Malibu's Most Wanted isn't too impressive.

Starring: Jamie Kennedy, Taye Diggs, Anthony Anderson, Ryan O'Neal, Blair Underwood, Damien Wayans, Kal Penn, Bo Derek, and Regina Hall. Directed by: John Whitesell.

Trying to sell my friends on this film, which I love, I tell them to think of it as 'The Jerk' for the new millennium. You know the bit: An innocent goof lives his life seemingly oblivious to the fact that he is, eh.... um... Well, oblivious to who he is -- his talents (or lack), and most importantly, to the way every other living being perceives him.

Hijinx ensues. --Very, very world-class embarrassing hi jinx.

The idea of the world's lamest rapper may be barely weighty enough for a solid 4 minute sketch on SNL or in Living Color. But the makers, with the amazing Jamie Kennedy in the center of the thing, have gone for the burn, taking an hour and a half to shake out every possibility of the concept. Surprisingly, it's time well spent. More happens plot wise here than in the Steve Martin vehicle. The situations are multiplied, and with them the opportunities for some pretty incredible shtick.

Malibu's Most Wanted is the cult film of tomorrow. The humor may not be close to the same league as Airplane or Kung Fu Hustle, and in fact seems to issue from the pits of over-commercialized multiplex teen formula comedy that I and a lot of other people groan at with regularity. But it brushes lightly with inspired comic genius. That's pretty vague. But I don't know how else to characterize a film -- even a dumb, almost insulting one -- that renders me helpless with laughter a couple of times, and manages a carload of solid giggles and grins. It may be a special taste film. But if you are open to it, it's worth your while.

9 of 10 stars

Surprisingly funny even for a jokey movie. The acting was decent and the storyline had a few unique moments. Not terribly hokey. Just keep expectations low and enjoy the few hits.

Not a movie that could be made nowadays and not for easily offended people. I did laugh because the movie was pretty stupid as it made fun of "posers."

MBW is one of those movies that is humorous because the characters are kinda stupid but funny. Kennedy plays the seemingly stereotypical role of "black-wannabe-gangsta-trapped-in-white-boy's-body", but i think we've seen this role in movies quite too often (actually Mitch Mullany did a better job in The Breaks). The definitely could've done a better job w/ the plot line, but I suppose they did a good job by using the equation character stupidity = loads of laughs. I think they made Kennedy's character more stupid than he deserved to be. Then again, the whole movie I think was just a big tease about how a lot of kids nowadays (whether from the 'hoods of Compton or Malibu) are trying to emulate the lifestyles/persona of real hip-hop stars. It was a silly yet funny movie, I think more of the "crack-up-laughing" kind of movie vs. lighthearted humor (like Sandler's Anger Management). So yes, don't expect a strong story but go there for the laughs. One note though, they should've made Snoop Dogg's dialogue more like the way he really talks/raps...it seemed a bit "censored" to me...perhaps they did it to make the PG-13 cut. For shizzos, my nizzos. Don't be hatin'! :)

** out of 5 for storyline ***** out of 5 for laugh factor