|
Be Cool
Directed by: F. Gary Gray
Starring: John Travolta
Genre:
Comedy
Run Time: 118
min.
Release Date:
March 2005
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
I approached this film
verrry cautiously. I'd very much enjoyed GET SHORTY, this films
predecessor, and wondered how much damage a sequel could do. Then I read
several professional and private reviews of BE COOL which all but beat
the film into the ground for poor scripting, poor acting, and in general
just being a wreck-of-a-film. So to say I was hesitant to view it would
be an understatement.
But I'm glad I did...
Although BE COOL didn't come close to the level of distinction that
GET SHORTY did, this film does have its moments.
We're reintroduced to Chili Palmer (John Travolta,
WILD HOGS) as the Bronx
shylock who's come west to enjoy the Hollywood film business. But Chili
is a bit burned-out on the film industry and sets his sights on the
music biz. And he thought getting a movie produced was tough!
Amidst the clamour and glamour of rappers, gay body-guards, Spice Girl
look-alikes and Aerosmith, Chilli Palmer inserts himself with his usual
maddeningly calm demeanor. And in these shark infested waters Chili
meets up with Tommy Athens (James Woods,
SURF'S UP), an old buddy of his. While
they're sipping drinks at a local establishment in L.A., a Russian mob
hit takes place on Tommy and Chili has to find out why.
John Travolta's character is reunited with Edie Athens (Tommy's widow
played very well by Uma Thurman,
MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND). Tommy was a music producer with his
own label; a label that is nearly bankrupt. But Chili and Edie may have
found the perfect solution in Linda Moon (Christina Milian), a beautiful
and gifted singer who's contracted to another producer. But can Chili
get her out of the contract? You bet he can.
In the end, Linda Moon sings with Aerosmith, the failing record label is
saved, and all of Chili's many enemies have been cowed.
What stood out for me in this film was Vince Vaughn (THE
BREAK-UP) who played Raji, a
white-boy wanting to be a black player. His antics were over-the-top and
always hilarious.
Also notable was The Rock (GET
SMART), who played a gay bodyguard who likes to sing
women's songs and raise only one of his eyebrows. His rendition of "You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man" is absolutely hysterical.
We're also given the opportunity to see Uma Thurman and John Travolta
dance again (hadn't seen that since PULP FICTION) and they both "bust
their moves on the floor" very well.
So why three stars? Well, Chili is just Chili again. He doesn't grow or
pull off anything unexpected. The double-and-triple crosses are pretty
transparent. And if it weren't for The Rock and Vaughn, this film would
have flopped on almost all levels. But they kept it uplifting and
entertaining enough to keep me watching until the very end.
(back to top) |
Image from Be Cool
DVD cost: $11.39
Purchase:
Tower.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
In the beginning of the
film, Chili mentions how a film needs to only use the "F" word more than
once in order to get an R rating. He then uses the "F" word - the only
use of it in the film - and thus, BE COOL got a PG-13 rating.
Movie Quote: "Who
are all these people trying to kill you?"
Other Actors/Actresses
from Be Cool
   |
