Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood

Delivery Time: 7 to 15 Working Days Format: DVD

Don't Be A Menace... is a parody of the popular "hood" movies made by African-American directors in the '90s; in particular John Singleton's Boyz 'N the Hood and the Hughes Brothers' Menace II Society are the recipients of some big-time lampooning! The plot focuses on Ashtray, a do-gooder who comes to South Central L.A. to live with his father. Unfortunately, Dad turns out to be a poor role model, as he extols the virtues of unsafe sex and drunk driving. Ashtray's cousin Loc Dog is no better, with his hair-trigger temper and extensive weaponry (including a nuclear bomb). Ashtray manages to find romance with a pretty poet named Dashiki, but it turns out that she's a little too popular with the men in her neighborhood - and not for her writing skills. Will Ashtray become disillusioned by what he's seen and experienced in South Central?
This wants desperately to be an Airplane-like parody of inner-city African American gangsta movies. Instead, it offers us more turkey than we would find at any Thanksgiving spread. Unfunny, stereotypical, stupid, and crass, it was cowritten by Marlon and Shawn Wayans, both of whom should have known better. The two fare better as actors than writers, as they are almost amusing as hardened, dimwitted homeboys. As Ashtray, Shawn returns to his 'hood and hooks up with his best buddy (Marlon) before the two embark on a series of oh-so-wacky adventures. Siblings Keenen Ivory, Kim, and Craig Wayans also make appearances. If you really want a laugh, watch Booty Call. --Rochelle O'Gorman