Undercover Brother Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)June 11th, 2002
UNDERCOVER BROTHER (2002) / ** 1/2
Directed by Malcolm D Lee. Screenplay by John Ridley and Michael McCullers, from a story by Ridley, based on his internet series. Starring Eddie Griffin, Chris Kattan, Aunjanue Ellis. Running time: 90 minutes. Rated AA for offensive language by the MFCB. Reviewed on June 10th, 2002.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: Hip spy Undercover Brother (Griffin) joins BROTHERHOOD, a secret organisation dedicated to opposing the machinations of the Man, a white supremacist determined to keep black culture down. When the Man's lieutenant, the scheming Mr Feather (Kattan), comes up with a way to brainwash prominent African American figures, Undercover Brother goes into action with his partner, Sistah Girl (Ellis). However, Mr Feather has many assets as his disposal, including the bewitching White She-Devil (Denise Richards), whose charms may spell a permanent end to Undercover Brother's career.
Review: A mostly straightforward parody of 1970s "blaxpoitation" movies, "Undercover Brother" makes for a reasonably diverting ninety minutes. The screenplay by Ridley and McCullers is never cringingly unfunny, but nor does it manage to reach the heights of inspired lunacy which characterised "Austin Powers", to which "Brother" can perhaps most readily be compared. Unlike "Powers", "Brother" is largely content to go for the obvious joke rather than pushing the envelope; the result is a few good laughs, but also long stretches which elicit grins at best. Griffin is fine as the title character, treading a careful path between making Undercover Brother funny and irritating. Also stealing some good lines are David Chappelle, playing the paranoid Conspiracy Brother, and Neil Patrick Harris as naive BROTHERHOOD intern Lance, whose position as the only white employee of the organisation generates a lot of the humour. Most disappointing is Kattan, who never manages to distinguish Mr Feather at all as a character; the lack of a "Dr Evil"-level nemesis for Undercover Brother is one of the film's biggest flaws. On the other hand, "Brother"'s careful tone is such that the movie should have wide appeal; although white culture certainly gets put through the wringer, "Brother" is not adverse to making fun of African Americans as well. We're all fair game.
Copyright © 2002 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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