DVD Review: Undercover Brother (B)

Undercover Brother (2002)
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee
Starring Eddie Griffin, Chris Kattan, Denise Richards and David Chappelle
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: B

Review by Bobby Nashville

Do you like blaxploitation movies? How about wacky comedies? You say you like both? Then this movie is for you. Undercover Brother combines the two genres and the results are way better than even I expected. Wisely avoiding the bathroom humor that has dragged down the Austin Powers franchise, director Malcolm D. Lee (Spike Lee's cousin) has come out of the gate with a possible comedy franchise of his own with Undercover Brother. The jokes are light hearted and even though there is a little bit of skewering going on, everything is kept in a very positive light.

Eddie Griffin stars as the Undercover Brother, a secret agent that is enlisted to bring down The Man. He is backed up by fellow agents Sistah Girl (Aunjanue Ellis) and Conspiracy Brother (Dave Chappelle) and their organization known as The Brotherhood. The Brotherhood finds out that The Man is an actual person that runs an evil organization to keep African Americans down. There is a pretty funny scene where the Brotherhood tries to explain all of this to the Undercover Brother: Anton Jackson: Are you telling me there really is a 'The Man'?
Conspiracy Brother: What do you think? Things don't just happen by accident! Sometimes people - mostly *white* people - make things happen!
Anton Jackson: So the conspiracies we've believed for all these years are true? The NBA really did institute the three point shot to give white boys a chance?
Conspiracy Brother: Of course!
Anton Jackson: Hollywood really *is* out to get Spike Lee?
Conspiracy Brother: Come on man! Even Cher's won an Oscar! Cher!
Anton Jackson: Then O.J. really didn't do it?
[Everyone looks away and mumbles]

Based on the web based Flash cartoon of the same name, Undercover Brother has a very slick look to it. The clothes (fresh 70's garb) and funky music (handled by Stanley Clarke) combine to provide a nice background for the proceedings. Undercover Brother is fast paced and well acted. Its not that insightful but it is packed full of laughs.

Looking for a nice, light comedy that has great music and a lot of style? Undercover Brother should do the trick.

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