Barbershop 2: Back In Business Review

Barbershop 2: Back In Business
More adventures from the mismatched barbers at Calvin's Barber Shop. Once again, Calvin (Ice Cube) is struggling to keep his father's traditions alive, this time against real-estate developers, while his staff bicker and joke.

by Nick de Semlyen |
Published on
Release Date:

16 Apr 2004

Running Time:

106 minutes

Certificate:

12A

Original Title:

Barbershop 2: Back In Business

The fact that this Ice Cube-starring sequel shot to the top of the US box office is hardly an endorsement these days. And admittedly there's little, in terms of plot, to set it apart from its predecessor. The clipper-wielding ensemble cast are just as prone to loud, rambling arguments as before, and the small neighbourhood barbershop run by Calvin Palmer (Cube) is again under threat, now from a dastardly urban developer who's built a deluxe hair salon across the street.

But this time the banter is tighter and funnier, and Calvin's musings on the importance of community seem more heartfelt. Even better, the blander barbers have had their screentime shaved to allow free reign to crazy-haired Cedric The Entertainer and Robert Wisdom's spectacularly phony local politician.

All in all, it's surprisingly pleasant to get back in the chair.
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