The movie was kind of funny. Some parts of it were enjoyable. Christina Milian was hot. Nothing else good to say unfortunately. The story of the movie sucked, and got boring after about twenty minutes. The acting was only so-so and there was nothing really special about the movie. If it wasn't for the fact that this movie tried to split itlself between a serious flick and another comedy it may have been better. But when you mix the stupidity of most comedies with some serious aspects you get a sub-par film like this one. Be Cool (Widescreen Edition)
I, having seen the movie Get Shorty and having loved it, was excited about this movie. That was until I saw the lame previews. The Rock didn't look funny nor did Vince vaughn but I decided to give it a shot. I was right. It was a major letdown with some good laughs but the movie seemed boring, stupid, and just weird at times. The Rock playing a gay bodyguard wasn't funny, Vince Vaughn acting black wasn't funny, and the rest of the cast wasn't that good either. The movie has an all star cast with over 10 actors I'm very familiar with. That's weird but cool. But, it just wasn't funny. The plot is about Chili Palmer who leaves the Movie business for the Music business. He then finds a good prospect in a young singer. The movie has some good laughs but mostly nothing. If you want to laugh, watch get shorty and not this. Believe me, it's not funny.
The problem with this film is I read the book. I was disappointed simply because `Be Cool' is an obvious showcase for the musical talent. The overly long dance sequence with John Travolta and Uma Thurman is a prime example. Somewhere the bulk of the story was lost--and there are some very--very good characters appearing in the film that would've been more intersing if somebody would've said, "HEY, don't forget the book!" But being true to the original source is not Hollywood's strong suit. "Be Cool" provides some popular music, some known faces, but without John Travolta, the movie would never have been made.
A few laughs are provided. A couple ironic scenes show up, but there's too little to sustain a full-length feature. Basically, the project is a disservice to everyone involved. Some of the characters are so thin--face it--poor Christina Milian as Linda Moon, is reduced to being a voice that sways when she sings--a cliché. The Rock does the best he can but again, `He's a gay bodyguard;' he's the brunt of insulting jokes offered up by a Raji, his boss [Vince Vaughn], who, in the book, is far more sinister--but in the film he's an idiot.
Of course Chili is Chili. Travolta does a very nice job, and Chili's obviously the smartest guy in the room. Uma Thruman's performance is, well, not funny--not serious, not intense--not much-- at best, she made me shrug. I do like what Harvey Keitel did with Nick Carr, but there's just not enough, and all the negatives reflect completely on the director. Enough said there.
My advice, watch `Get Shorty'again, or read `Be Cool.'
You can tell within the first two minutes that Be Cool isn't going to come close to living up to 1995's Get Shorty, which actually embodied the titular sentiment of this limp sequel. Director Gray and screenwriter Paul Steinfeld waste no time in winking at us, joking about how lame sequels are, and stupid compromises made to get a PG-13 rating. But instead of getting us to laugh, it only shows how desperate they are to please.
The plot has Travolta's hustler-turned-movie-producer Chili Palmer getting out of movies and into music when he discovers a talented young singer (Milian), teaming up with Edie (Thurman), a record executive's widow. Chili is beset by a colorful cast of lowlifes: Cedric the Entertainer and the Rock make the most of their roles, but Vince Vaughn is unbelievably grating as the white-guy-who-thinks-he's-black.
While Get Shorty had no trouble selling Chili's love of movies, his love of music comes across as contrived, designed only to pimp the acts (Aerosmith, Black Eyed Peas) who've been paid to show up. Memorable lines from Get Shorty are recycled ad nauseam, and Travolta and Thurman dance and try to re-create Pulp Fiction's magic. There are one or two funny lines and enough stars to guarantee everyone at least a moment of pleasure. But a moment is all you're likely to get.
i've never viewed a film in my life that had so much on screen talent with no place to go. the magic that these actors have been known to make is invisable in this morass. don't waste your time even when it shows up on HBO or late night viewing. - Action - John Travolta - Comic Criminals - Uma Thurman'
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