Undercover Brother (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

Delivery Time: 7 to 15 Working Days Format: DVD

Riotous spoof of blaxploitation films boasts Eddie Griffin as the title hero, an Afroed, kung fu-fighting fellow stuck in the 1970s, recruited by a secret organization to stop the Man, an operation out to cause trouble between the races. Teamed with Sista Girl (Aunjanue Ellis), the Brother tries to find out why a black presidential candidate has abandoned politics to open up a chain of fried chicken restaurants. With Denise Richards, David Chappelle. 87 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1; French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: Spanish; audio commentary by Griffin, others; alternate ending; deleted scenes; "making of" documentary; outtakes; music video; animated shorts; trivia game; theatrical trailer; more.
Blaxploitation movies deserve a good spoofing, and Undercover Brother tweaks the subgenre with a few good laughs. But what might have been an Afro-centric Austin Powers (adapted by John Ridley from his Internet film series) is instead a lackluster comedy with one basic joke: "Whitey"--personified as a faceless corporate despot known as "the Man"--has the power, but black folks have soul. With enough funk to make Shaft look passé, Eddie Griffin plays "U.B." with an oversized 'fro and a firm grasp of comedic possibilities. He's recruited by the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. (an all-black justice league) to foil the Man's plan to derail a Colin Powell-like presidential candidate (Billy Dee Williams), and U.B.'s undercover exploits keep the slim plot moving. Denise Richards and Neil Patrick Harris are gamely ridiculed as token white allies, and it's all in good fun as director Malcolm D. Lee (Spike's cousin) finds room for mild jolts of relevant social commentary. --Jeff Shannon